Boundless Energy winning in Cape Town (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Mauritius Saturday Preview By Graeme Hawkins
BOUNDLESS ENERGY COULD LAND ANOTHER FEATURE FOR HEWITSON:
Having dominated the Feature race landscape in Mauritius this Season, Carl Hewitson has established a clear lead over arch rival Soon Gujadhur in the race for the Trainers’ Championship and Boundless Energy could widen the gap even further when he lines up in the G3 Azul Handicap over 1400m at Champ de Mars on Saturday.
With Manoel Nunes serving a suspension, Corne Orffer has picked up the ride on the 5yo son of Vercingetorix. Unbeaten in two starts on the Island thus far, Boundless Energy will be a popular choice but with the presence of At My Command, Underworld and Pennsylvania in the field it is likely to be closely contested affair.
The first of seven races on the programme gets under way at 10:30 SA time.
Race 1: (10:30) – BM20 Handicap – 1500m (First Leg of the Place Accumulator):
This lowly-rated Handicap looks set to be fought out by Nordic Prince (Curatolo) and Lunar Descent (Taka). Nordic Prince was narrowly beaten by Fire Starter over 1400m a month ago with both Lunar Descent and Canford Lights a long way behind in third and fourth spot, which suggests that Nordic Prince should comfortably have their measure. But Lunar Descent performed well below expectations on that occasion and if judged on his previous effort when a good second behind the progressive Exalted Love, then Sam Mahadia’s runner should pose a greater threat this time around.
Betting: 8/10 Nordic Prince; 2/1 Lunar Descent; 13/2 Balouchi; 15/2 Canford Lights; 20/1 Love On Time.
Selection: (2) Nordic Prince; (3) Lunar Descent; (5) Canford Lights; (1) Balouchi.
Race 2: (11:05) – BM25 Handicap – 990m (First Leg of the Pick 6):
Holds The Key (Van Niekerk) was narrowly beaten by Bombardier Boy over the trip last month and the form of that race looks strong. Simbine (Curatolo) was a length behind Holds The Key in that race and Vincent Allet’s runner for Hollywood Racing has plenty of scope to improve. Interestingly both Holds The Key and Simbine are 4yo sons of What A Winter and we can expect an exciting duel between the pair. Jet Blackfire (Schwarz) is interesting. Placed second in his last two starts, the 5yo son of One World steps back to the minimum trip and only the race will show whether this is an inspired move by trainer Vicky Ruhee.
Betting: 1/1 Holds The Key; 17/10 Simbine; 28/10 Jet Blackfire; 16/1 William Blake; 100/1 Stepping Out.
Selection: (3) Holds The Key; (2) Simbine; (1) Jet Blackfire; (4) William Blake.
Race 3: (11:40) – BM36 Handicap – 1450m:
Ashikule (Danielson) has won his last two 1365m starts beating the useful sorts Exalted Love and Blackjack Randall. The very progressive 4yo son of Erupt has not raced since 20 June but he looks hard to oppose here and rates one of the better bets on the card. Carnarvon (Van Niekerk) is the obvious danger with the 4yo son of Elusive Fort having posted back-to-back victories in June and July. The step up in trip should be to his liking and if Ashikule fluffs his lines, Carnarvon will be there to pick up the pieces. Military Force (Schwarz) is starting to show signs of getting to grips with racing at Champ de Mars and he should be considered for Trifectas and Quartets.
Betting: 7/10 Ashikule; 7/2 Carnarvon; 7/1 Canford Club; Cybotix; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) Ashikule; (5) Carnarvon; (1) Military Force; (4) Canford Club.
Race 4: (12:15) – BM46 Handicap – 1400m (First Leg of the Jackpot):
Emerging star New World (Danielson) takes a steep rise in class here and will be fully tested by the likes of Mfethu (Curatolo) and National Award (Mansour). New World’s most recent victories have been scored over slightly further but he has a touch of class and could be equal to the task. Although never winning in South Africa, New World showed decent ability behind the likes of Randolph Hearst and Vapour Trail. Mfethu races for the Hollywood team and his form is eye-catching. Third on local debut behind Ashikule and then a close second behind the talented Secret Passage last time, Mfethu would not be winning out of turn and he cannot be lightly dismissed. National Award is very game and consistent but faces a tough test here.
Betting: 7/10 New World; 33/10 National Award; 7/2 Mfethu; 16/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (3) Mfethu; (5) New World; (4) National Award; (6) Old Fashioned.
Race 5: (12:50) – BM56 Handicap – 1600m:
Summer Snow (Juglall) sets the standard in a small but competitive line-up. The 5yo son of What A Winter is a tough and consistent hard-knocking performer for the Hewitson team and although rising in class does receive a fair amount of weight from his principal rivals. We Have Touchdown (Taka) caught the eye on local debut when finishing third over 1365m and this extended trip will be more to his liking. The 5yo son of Gimmethegreenlight has plenty of upside. On best form Tyrion Lannister (Curatolo) rates a real threat. He has dropped in the ratings this season but appears to have soundness issues and his well-being needs to be taken on trust. Blue Bay (Danielson) was a beaten odds-on favourite last time and could make amends here.
Betting: 12/10 We Have Touchdown; 16/10 Blue Bay; 9/2 Summer Snow; 13/2 Tyrion Lannister; 50/1 Ninety Nine Heroes.
Selection: (3) We Have Touchdown; (5) Summer Snow; (1) Blue Bay; (2) Tyrion Lannister.
Race 6: (13:25) – The Azul Trophy G3 – 1400m:
Boundless Energy (Orffer) is bidding to maintain his unbeaten record on the Island but faces a tougher challenge this time in a very competitive renewal of the Azul Trophy. At My Command (Danielson) was a surprise winner of the G1 1600m Barbe Cup on 27 June but he is a past course and distance winner and warrants utmost respect. Underworld (Van Niekerk) was disappointing in the Barbe Cup but is capable of better here. His wide draw does not do him any favours but he could be charging home in the closing stages. Pennsylvania (Sooful) is very highly regarded and the 5yo son of Lancaster Bomber only has 52kgs to shoulder. His local debut when second over 990m was a smart effort and this distance will be much more to his liking. Following a rare double last weekend, jockey Dinesh Sooful’s confidence will be high.
Betting: 1/1 Boundless Energy; 3/1 Pennsylvania; 7/2 Underworld; 6/1 At My Command; 33/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (3) Boundless Energy; (1) At My Command; (2) Underworld; (6) Pennsylvania.
Race 7: (14:05) – BM26 Handicap – 1450m:
A small field lines up for this low-division handicap but on past form there is very little to choose between Blackjack Randall (Mansour), The Centurion (Danielson) and Bugle Boy (Ramsamy) and a keenly contested finish is on the cards. Bugle Boy has his first run since being gelded and he could turn the tables on The Centurion who blotted his copybook with a below-par effort in the Sophomore Challenge in July. Blackjack Randall finished behind The Centurion and Bugle Boy on 30 May, but the 4yo son of Danon Platina has progressed nicely since then, finishing runner-up behind Ashikule and Exalted Love in his last two outings. That level of form of suggests Blackjack Randall may have the edge here but all three rate strong winning chances.
Betting: 1/1 Blackjack Randall; 15/10 Bugle Boy; 3/1 The Centurion; 33/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (1) Blackjack Randall; (3) Bugle Boy; (2) The Centurion; (4) Captain Marsala.
Betting correct at 17:00 on Thursday 27 August.
Suggested Pick 6 (Races 2-7):
2,3 x 7 x 3,5 x 1,3,5 x 1,2,3,6 x 1,2,3 (R144)
