Hawkeye Looking At Cumbre Vieja As The Mauritius Anchor

The presence of Cumbre Vieja, the Island’s unbeaten fan-favourite, backed up by the emerging talents of Havana Moon and Courtly, has seen the country’s other 4yo’s shy away from the G2 Mauritius Guineas over 1600m at Champ de Mars on Saturday, leaving a field of only four runners on an otherwise generally well-filled race card. Cumbre Vieja goes for his eighth consecutive victory and is united for the first time with last Season’s Champion Jockey Manoel Nunes. Havana Moon and Courtly have each won four races from only five starts, but the race conditions favour Cumbre Vieja and he should prove a tough a nut to crack in the second leg of the 4yo Championship.

New World was an expected easy winner of his last start and although drawn widest in this 8-runner field, is likely to show further improvement. On that occasion Dance To The Sun finished fourth nearly four lengths behind New World, but that was the Dance To The Sun’s first appearance at Champ de Mars and he will have benefitted greatly from the experience. Arveen Nagadoo’s 3yo son of Trippi could get a lot closer this time. Lomu could also improve significantly with the benefit of his first run – when racing very greenly – under the belt, while any of Spirito Selvaggio, Love On Time and Lava Burst could earn a minor share of the prize money.

Betting: 8/10 New World; 3/1 Spirito Selvaggio; 8/1 Dance To The Sun; 12/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (2) New World; (3) Dance To The Sun; (4) Spirito Selvaggio; (1) Lomu.

Competitive sprint over the minimum trip. Carnarvon (Van Niekerk) caught the eye on local debut when second to Holy Star but faces a potentially tougher assignment here and looks a little skinny in the market. Mystery Cache reverts to his best course and distance after a failed attempt at 1400m last time but could be held by Unsung Hero who continues to hold his form well. Cliff Swallow has been runner-up in his last three starts and would not be winning out of turn. Bombardier Boy, in the care of Vincent Allet, makes his local debut for the Hollywood Team after showing decent promise back home in South Africa. Holds The Key also makes his first appearance on the Island for Jevin Awotar, but riding arrangements suggest that Carnarvon is the stable elect. Tough race!

Betting: 14/10 Carnarvon; 7/2 Unsung Hero, Cliff Swallow; 13/2 Holds The Key; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (3) Cliff Swallow; (2) Unsung Hero; (6) Carnarvon; (1) Mystery Cache.

A maximum field of ten runners face the starter for this 1600m Handicap but we can perhaps narrow the list of potential winners to four principal runners. Amancio (Danielson) will appreciate stepping up in trip from his last two starts and looks primed to run a big race. My Archangel (Nunes) looks progressive and was not disgraced when beaten by the highly regarded Secret Passage two weeks ago. Crucially he is well drawn in gate 2. Master Of Mystery was running on well when third behind Courtly over 1500m a month ago and is well suited to the trip here. He has won twice from only five starts in Mauritius and there could be more to come. All About Love (Mansour) jumps from pole position but is usually slow away which will make his task all the more difficult here. Of the balance, High Key has shown good form this season for the Shirish Narang yard and cannot be lightly dismissed.

Betting: 2/1 My Archangel; 5/2 Amancio; 9/2 Master Of Mystery, All About Love; 12/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (6) Amancio; (2) My Archangel; (4) Master Of Mystery; (1) All About Love

Salt ‘n Peppa has fully tested the patience of his connections but the 4yo son of Potala Palace could reward the Foo-Kune family with a victory in this 5-strong line-up. Salt ‘n Peppa was sidelined for 18 months after finishing second at his last South African start in November 2024, but his comeback run three weeks ago was most pleasing and he seems to have more to offer. The obvious danger is the well performed and seasoned 8yo Opague who last term secured victories over High Key and Secret Oasis, both of which have franked the form in recent weeks. On best form any of Babylon, Sea Dance and Comedy Club could throw a spanner in the works.

Betting: 12/10 Salt ‘n Peppa; 22/10 Sea Dance; 5/1 Comedy Club, Opague; 13/2 Babylon.

Selection: (3) Salt ‘n Peppa; (1) Opague; (4) Sea Dance; (5) Comedy Club.

Only six runners but, as the betting suggests, very competitive! Captain Mike is ultra consistent but is at his very best over 990m. That said, his form in defeat over 1365m has been admirable, having finished second to likes of Warhead and Crescent prior to his last start win over the minimum trip. He should run another cracker and is my marginal first choice. Spirit’s Unite won back to back races at the end of last term and makes his seasonal debut while United Prince seldom misses a beat and is worthy of respect. Moonlight Trader also makes his first appearance in 2026 and the market will be the best guide to his chances. Van Hunks was a creditable second to Crescent three weeks ago while We Have Touchdown is an interesting new comer for the Awotar/Van Niekerk team.

Betting: 17/10 Captain Mike; 3/1 Spirit’s Unite; 7/2 Van Hunks; 11/2 Moonlight Trader; 7/1 United Prince, We Have Touchdown.

Selection: (1) Captain Mike; (2) Spirit’s Unite; (3) Moonlight Trader; (5) Van Hunks.

Cumbre Vieja seeks to record his 8^th victory on the Island from as many starts and has risen through the ranks to super-stardom amongst Mauritius’ passionate racing fans. On paper Cumbre Vieja should win this as he meets Havana Moon on the same terms as in the Guineas Trial when beating the latter by more than a length over 1400m. But that was Havana Moon’s first run since November ’25 and he should strip fitter for this encounter, although the 4yo son of Last Winter goes beyond 1400m for the first time. Like Havana Moon, Courtly has won four of his five starts at Champ de Mars and this long-striding son of Act Of War leaves the impression that he has scope for further improvement. Brave Bomber makes up the 4-runner field and looks safely held by his three rivals.

Betting: 4/10 Cumbre Vieja; 33/10 Havana Moon; 6/1 Courtly; 12/1 Brave Bomber.

Selection: (1) Cumbre Vieja; (2) Havana Moon; (3) Courtly; (4) Brave Bomber.

Another very competitive affair which should translate into an exciting contest. Rapidash (Mansour) won the Duchess of York on the opening day of the Season; is highly regarded and working well. But from a wide gate over this trip in an 8-runner field, I would be hesitant about taking the 13/10 on offer, particularly as the form of the Duchess has yet to be franked. Boundless Energy (Nunes) and The Grey King (Van Niekerk) both make their local debuts and the betting, as we approach race time, should be the best guide. Sun Blushed is much better than his last run and looks good each-way value at his current odds. Captain Bombshell has not been seen since November but his form before the break was top class. The veteran Bless My Path is at his best over track and trip and from pole position could be the surprise package in the race. Formagear has failed to deliver from three starts in Mauritius but he finds betting support on each occasion and he could certainly pop up here. Unzen has yet to find his feet at Champ de Mars.

Betting: 13/10 Rapidash; 33/10 The Grey King; 6/1 Captain Bombshell; 7/1 Boundless Energy; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (4) Bless My Path; (6) Rapidash; (5) Formagear; (8) The Grey King

Good race to close the card. Secret Oasis probably sets the standard following two solid performances this season. Last time out he beat Bugalugs who franked the form with an easy win at his next start. But on that occasion Secret Oasis was handed a soft lead which is unlikely to be the case here. Bacchus has his third start of the Season and he should go well here. Roman’s Revenge looks set to progress nicely this year and launched his campaign with a very good effort over a distance short of his best. He rates a lively chance in a tricky race. Superior Force has yet to finish out the frame from eleven starts on the Island, a record which includes five victories. Magnum P I may need another run to bring him to his peak but is much better than his recent form suggests. Transonic can be dangerous from the front.

Betting: 22/10 Secret Oasis; 9/2 Magnum P I, Superior Force; 11/2 Bacchus; 6/1 Roman’s Revenge; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (6) Secret Oasis; (8) Roman’s Revenge; (2) Bacchus; (7) Superior Force.

Suggested Place Accumulator (Races 2-8):

2,3,6 x 6 x 3 x 1,2,3 x 1 x 4,5,6,8 x 2,6,8 (R108)