Underworld has been tipped to win the Barbe Cup (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
2026 BARBE CUP (G1) SET TO BE A THRILLER:
First run in 1902, the Barbe Cup (WFA) G1 over 1600m ranks as one of the long-standing major highlights on the racing calendar in Mauritius and the 2026 renewal has attracted a maximum field of 11 runners. Last year’s winner, Itsrainingwilliam, is an absentee but Iannish Taka, the 2025 winning rider, will be aboard the Arveen Nagadoo-trained Good Council who makes his seasonal debut. The Gujadhur stable is well represented by At My Command, Port Louis and Zil Moris – all of which cracked good draws – and Raymond Danielson has opted to partner Zil Moris but, by his own admission, it wasn’t an easy choice to make.
Underworld faces a tough trip from a wide gate but confidence abounds that Grant Van Niekerk will weave his magic and find a way to steer the 4yo son of Querari to a momentous maiden Grade 1 victory for the Jevin Awotar team.
Being a 7-race programme, the Place Accumulator kicks off in Race 1, the Pick 6 in Race 2 and the Jackpot in Race 4.
Race 1: (10:30) – BM25 Handicap – 1365m:
Looks a match race between Exalted Love (Van Niekerk) and the well fancied newcomer Boom Town (Danielson). Exalted Love brings solid form into the race having finished runner-up in his last two starts behind the useful pair Blackjack Randall and Ashikule, and Boom Town will have to be above average to lower his colours. Boom Town’s two runs in South Africa can best be described as “fair” but he has been working well and is attracting market support. The fight for minor money rests between Indigenous, Nordic Prince and William Blake.
Betting: 12/10 Exalted Love; 16/10 Boom Town; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) Exalted Love; (1) Boom Town; (3) Indigenous; (4) Nordic Prince.
Race 2: (11:05) – BM56 Handicap – 1450m:
Only four horses contest this mid-division handicap but the small field includes three last-start winners. War Chariot (Van Niekerk) has won both his starts on the Island and is open to further improvement. Monumental (Danielson) won a good race over track and trip last time and was beaten less than a length by War Chariot in his penultimate start. Monumental is now 2kgs better off which could be enough for Soon Gujadhur’s runner to turn the tables. Salt ‘n Peppa (Nunes) takes a step up in class following his comfortable victory two weeks ago but has scope for further progress. Captain Cola (Corrales) is a seasoned campaigner and has been consistent of late. War Chariot is a warm-order favourite but can expect stiff opposition from Monumental who looks good value in the market.
Betting: 5/10 War Chariot; 3/1 Salt ‘n Peppa; 5/1 Monumental; 10/1 Captain Cola.
Selection: (2) War Chariot; (3) Monumental; (4) Salt ‘n Peppa; (1) Captain Cola.
Race 3: (11:40) – BM36 Handicap – 990m:
Competitive handicap over the minimum trip but the luckless Cliff Swallow (Mansour) gets another opportunity to crack the ice and shed his maiden ticket. This time the 5yo son of Canford Cliffs jumps from a good gate and he should turn the tables on Mystery Cache (Taka) who finished just ahead of Cliff Swallows in that cliffhanger won by Carnarvon on 13 June. Vincent Allet saddles two livewires in the form of good-looking newcomer Ibhele (Bheekary) and last-start winner Mind Map (Joorawon). Fencing Captain (Nunes) is twice a course and distance winner and needed his last run badly when a distant third behind the progressive Secret Passage.
Betting: 14/10 Cliff Swallow; 28/10 Mind Map; 9/2 Mystery Cache; 6/1 Fencing Captain, Ibhele; 33/1 Global Dollar.
Selection: (6) Cliff Swallow; (5) Mystery Cache; (4) Mind Map; (3) Ibhele.
Race 4: (12:15) – BM46 Handicap – 1365m:
Selvom Mootien has had a tough start to the Season but the tide could turn here with Smith And Wesson. The 6yo son of The United States has only had two starts in Mauritius and is not without his problems, but his preparation coming into this race has been good and I expect him to run well. On past collateral form he looks held by Grand Bay but the latter’s last two runs have been somewhat lack-lustre and he needs to regain his form of last season. Alpine Challenge (Nunes) has also been below par recently but he has dropped in the ratings and meets a shallow field here. He could certainly bounce back in a race of this nature. Ampersand has not won since December 2024 but he drops in class here and can improve on his recent efforts behind War Chariot.
Betting: 12/10 Alpine Challenge; 22/10 Smith And Wesson; 33/10 Grand Bay; 10/1 Nou Praat Jy; 12/1 Ampersand.
Selection: (3) Smith And Wesson; (4) Alpine Challenge; (1) Ampersand; (2) Grand Bay.
Race 5: (12:50) – BM31 Handicap – 1365m:
Another competitive race but I am going to row in with Future Frequency (Danielson) who needed his first start back from injury when third behind Iko Iko. His form last season was highly promising and although the trip is potentially on the sharp side, the 4yo son of Futura should go well here. Holy Star (Taka) beat subsequent winner Carnarvon over 990m four weeks ago and steps up to this trip for the first time. He has plenty of speed but needs to prove he can handle the extra. Unsung Hero (Nunes) never fails to make his presence felt and is another who steps in trip from his last five starts. Fine One (Collis) ran on stoutly from off the pace last time and a reproduction of that effort will see him challenge for top honours – but he is none too genuine. Master Point is consistent and not without a chance of upsetting his more fancied rivals.
Betting: 18/10 Holy Star; 5/2 Future Frequency; 3/1 Unsung Hero; 8/1 Dalmeny Factor; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (3) Future Frequency; (2) Holy Star; (1) Unsung Hero; (7) Master Point.
Race 6: (13:30) – The Barbe Cup (WFA) G1 – 1600m:
Cracking renewal of the Barbe Cup featuring quality horses who made their mark to varying degrees in South Africa. Selukwe (Nunes) was of course third in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July but the 6yo son of Pomodoro has once again cracked an awful draw and is certainly better over further. The Maiden Cup on 6 September remains his mission. Stable companion, Xavion (Juglall), was a surprise winner of the Bicentenary Cup but I would expect Underworld (Van Niekerk) and Meridius (Collis) to reverse that form on this occasion. Soon Gujadhur saddles three runners and Raymond Danielson has elected to partner Zil Moris from a decent draw. Zil Moris ended last Season with a creditable second behind Meridius in the 1600m Duke of York Gold Cup (G1) and began his 2026 campaign with a good victory over Xavion in a 1400m Pinnacle on 16 May. Meridius is very classy and will progress nicely from his third-placed finish in the Bicentenary. He looks really good each-way value at 14/1. Rapidash is a tricky customer but will appreciate stepping up in trip and rates an undeniable threat. Whatever the outcome this should be a terrific race with winning chances not confined to those mentioned above.
Betting: 5/2 Underworld; 28/10 Rapidash; 3/1 Zil Moris; 9/1 Selukwe; 14/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (5) Underworld; (1) Meridius; (9) Zil Moris; (10) Rapidash.
Race 7: (14:10) – BM26 – 1450m:
Lava County (Van Niekerk) looks impossible to oppose in this limited low division handicap and the 3yo son of Erupt rates the nap-of-the-day. He will have gained plenty from the experience of his two placed runs at Champ de Mars and is not surprisingly deep in the red in the betting market. Gun Barrel (Mansour) could be the right Exacta horse with the 4yo son of Fire Away having finished less than a length behind Lava County back in April. River Hawk (Danielson) and Global Warrior (Joorawon) appear to be the pick of the balance.
Betting: 9/20 Lava County; 11/2 River Hawk; 15/2 Gun Barrel; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) Lava County; (7) Gun Barrel; (5) River Hawk; (6) Global Warrior.
Betting correct at 17:00 on Thursday 25 June.
Suggested Place Accumulator (Races 1-7):
2 x 2,3 x 5,6 x 3,4 x 1,2,3 x 1,5,9,10 x 4 (R96)
