HAVANA MOON TO SALUTE COL DRAPER:
The 1500m Col Draper Cup G2 is programmed as the official trial for the season-ending G1 Duke of York Gold Cup over 1600m on 6 December and Havana Moon will be looking to pass his final examination before renewing rivalry with Cumbre Vieja four weeks from now. Col Draper was the founding father of the Mauritius Turf Club in 1812, and the 2026 renewal of the race run in his memory has attracted a top class field of seven runners.
Underworld, Zil Moris and Xavion will all be looking to deny Havana Moon, but Subu Gujadhur’s exciting 5yo son of Last Winter should be equal to the task under regular rider Donovan Mansour. As I pen this preview on Friday morning, much needed light rain is falling over the Champ de Mars which should bring some relief to the track which has been “hard-and-fast” in recent weeks.
The first of seven races on the programme gets under way at 10:30 SA time.
Race 1: (10:30) – BM25 Handicap – 1650m (First Leg of the Place Accumulator):
New York City (Ecroignard) is well tried having been placed in five of his seven starts at Champ de Mars but he is unlikely to get a much easier opportunity to shed his maiden ticket. His last two runs against stronger have been encouraging and hopefully the claiming apprentice can get the best out of him in this low-grade handicap restricted to Mauritian riders. Divine Warrior (Sonaram) was very green on his local debut and the lightly raced 4yo son of Master Of My Fate has plenty of upside. Fortune Hunter (Aucharuz) has shown promise and can build on his most recent effort when third behind Kola Tonic. Symbolic Gesture (Joorawon) finished three lengths behind New York City on his local debut but with natural improvement the 4yo son of Rafeef should get a lot closer this time and would not be a surprise winner with the vastly experienced Rye Joorawon in the saddle. A trappy start to a generally competitive day’s racing.
Betting: 2/1 New York City; 22/10 Divine Warrior; 3/1 Fortune Hunter; 13/2 Symbolic Gesture; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) New York City, (2) Fortune Hunter, (1) Divine Warrior, (3) Symbolic Gesture.
Race 2: (11:05) – BM71 Handicap – 1365m (First Leg of the Pick 6):
Only four runners line up for this top division handicap but the race is nonetheless very competitive. Air Raid (Joorawon) has found early market support, shortening from 12/10 into 8/10, and if the 5yo son of Lancaster Bomber reproduces his effort of 19 September when beating Crescent, then Preetam Daby’s charge will take all the beating. Zoomie (Curatolo) was running on very strongly when a close second to Havana Moon over 1600m last time but the 6yo son of Querari has won twice over this trip and presents as a significant threat to Air Raid. Formagear (Orffer) is holding form well and was a good second behind the talented Boundless Energy over this trip three weeks ago. Unzen (Taka) has yet to find his feet on the Island but is dropping in the ratings and an improved effort could be on the cards.
Betting: 8/10 Air Raid; 22/10 Zoomie; 5/2 Formagear; 20/1 Unzen.
Selection: (4) Air Raid, (3) Zoomie, (1) Formagear, (2) Unzen.
Race 3: (11:40) – BM46 Handicap – 1400m:
Mauritius Kestrel (Schwarz) made an eye-catching local debut when runner-up behind Grand Bay after setting a blistering pace, which led to a new track record. The 5yo son of Vercingetorix steps up slightly in trip here but could pack too many punches for his four rivals. Warbird (Joorawon) is very game and consistent and has won three of her four starts this season. National Award (Mansour) has yet to win this term but has been placed in all four starts and his last two efforts in decent company suggest his second career victory is not too far away. Nou Praat Jy (Van Rensburg) is improving steadily but faces a tough test here.
Betting: 5/10 Mauritius Kestrel; 7/2 National Award; 11/2 Warbird; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (1) Mauritius Kestrel, (4) Warbird, (3) National Award, (5) Nou Praat Jy.
Race 4: (12:15) – Middle Stakes – 990m (First Leg of the Jackpot):
Diamond Days (Sooful) has found his niche in Mauritius over the minimum trip and is bidding for this third consecutive victory. The 4yo son of Rafeef steps up in class here but off a low weight should prove too speedy for his six rivals. Captain Mike (Van Rensburg) is also a 990m specialist and, following two very good recent efforts behind the talented Warhead and Secret Passage, Vincent Allet’s charge clearly rates the principal threat to the favourite. Captain Bombshell (Mjoka) and Captain Lannister (Mansour) could fill up the Quartet placings.
Betting: 6/10 Diamond Days; 28/10 Captain Mike; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) Diamond Days, (5) Captain Mike, (1) Captain Bombshell, (2) Captain Lannister.
Race 5: (12:50) – BM26 Handicap – 990m:
Simbine (Van Rensburg) has shown very useful promise in both his starts on the Island and the Hollywood Racing owned 4yo son of What A Winter could take all the beating in a large and competitive field. Holds The Key (Joorawon) boasts really good form over the trip and was a narrow winner over Simbine back in August. The latter is now 1kg better off and has possibly improved since, but the form book suggests there should not be much to choose between the pair. Cliff Swallow (Mansour) has not been seen since June but is certainly no slouch and rates a lively threat from a decent draw. Midnight Flyer (Curatolo) and Fine One (Chaves) have the ability to surprise but both may prefer a touch further. Prince of Egypt (Schwarz) makes his local debut while Senor Resfrio’s (Aucharuz) only start on the Island is best ignored and he should go better here.
Betting: 2/1 Simbine; 5/2 Holds The Key; 7/2 Cliff Swallow; 11/2 Prince Of Egypt; 14/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) Simbine, (4) Holds The Key, (9) Midnight Flyer, (1) Cliff Swallow.
Race 6: (13:25) – Col Draper Cup G2 – 1500m:
An excellent field lines up for this year’s renewal of the Col Draper Cup and the very talented Havana Moon (Mansour) is bidding for his eighth victory from ten starts since arriving in Mauritius. His only conqueror has been the unbeaten Cumbre Vieja, but victory here for Havana Moon is no foregone conclusion as both Zil Moris (Curatolo) and Xavion (Nunes) will make their presence felt. Underworld (Joorawon) has found early market support and a huge effort can be expected from the 6yo son of Querari. Rapidash (Orffer) makes his first appearance since his dominant win in the Maiden Cup over 2400m and may just need this run as he prepares for a crack at the Duke of York Gold Cup on 6 December. Royal Wulff is as game as they come but the 9yo son of Crusade may be more effective over slightly less ground.
Betting: 22/10 Havana Moon; 7/2 Rapidash; Underworld; 4/1 Xavion; 9/2 Zil Moris; 25/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (6) Havana Moon, (2) Underworld, (5) Zil Moris, (4) Xavion.
Race 7: (14:05) – BM31 Handicap – 1365m:
Good race to close the card. The Centurion (Curatolo) bounced back to best last time when beating Jet Blackfire on 10 October and the smart-looking 4yo son of Gimmethegreenlight may have plenty more to come. World Champion (Chaves) was well backed to make a winning debut a month ago and the 4yo son of One World delivered with a good win – also over Jet Blackfire, which suggests there may not be much to choose between himself and The Centurion. Carnarvon (Joorawon) is much better than his last run and could be a factor here while Blown Away (Mansour) is holding form well but appears to take on a little stronger in this event. Mystery Cache (Taka) has not been at his best recently but could earn a minor prize here.
Betting: 22/10 The Centurion; 5/2 Carnarvon; 28/10 World Champion; 9/2 Blown Away; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) World Champion, (1) The Centurion, (2) Carnarvon, (6) Blown Away.
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Betting as at 17:00 on Thursday 5 November.
Suggested Jackpot (Races 4-7):
5,7 x 1,4,7,9 x 2,4,5,6 x 1,2,4 (R96)
