Underworld has been selected to win the Bicentenary Cup (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
NUNES IS BACK FOR THRILLING BICENTENARY CUP
A full field of 10 runners will face the starter at 13:25 SA time for the G2 Bicentenary Cup over 1500m as the Island’s big guns rev up their engines for the G1 WFA Barby Cup over 1600m at the end of June. Last season’s Champion jockey, Manoel Nunes, returned this week to ride for the Carl Hewitson stable in the wake of Ivaldo Santana’s departure and he climbs aboard Selukwe, but faces a touch passage from a very deep draw.
Selukwe is the early favourite, but the race has a wide open appearance and punters are advised to cast their nets as wide as possible, especially as many of the higher-rated runners have awkward draws to overcome.
Race 1: (10:30) – BM31 Handicap – 1365m:
Diamond Days made an impressive start to his career in Mauritius when storming home to a comfortable victory over 990m on local debut. The 3yo son of Rafeef steps up here to a potentially more suitable 1365m and is widely expected to follow up under Raymond Danielson for the Gujadhur outfit. Iko Iko jumps out of pole position for Manoel Nunes and he should improve on his last effort when not enjoying the best of luck in running. Future Frequency makes his seasonal debut for the Gujadhur team and although Diamond Days is clearly the stable elect, Future Frequency has shown above average ability and could run a forward race. Cider House Rules is game and consistent but may lack the class to trouble Diamond Days on even terms. Cybotix has won twice in his last five starts and there is not much to choose between him and Cider House Rules.
Betting: 5/10 Diamond Days; 33/10 Iko Iko; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) Diamond Days; (5) Future Frequency; (1) Iko Iko; (2) Cider House Rules.
Race 2: (11:05) – BM25 Handicap – 990m:
A well-filled field of 9 runners line up for this low-grade dash and Arveen Nagadoo could land his first blow for the Season with Holy Star. Ianish Taka takes over the reins and Holy Star should progress from his decent local debut when finishing second behind Diamond Days. Nordic Prince is overdue to find the winner’s enclosure and will have every chance from the best gate. The presence of three newcomers, Carnarvon; Jet Blackfire and Midnight Flyer complicates affairs, as all three have shown enough back home to suggest they could get involved. Blown Away needed his first run at Champ de Mars when racing very green and the 3yo son of Fire Away has room for improvement.
Betting: 2/1 Holy Star; 33/10 Midnight Flyer; 11/2 Carnarvon; 6/1 Nordic Prince; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) Holy Star; (8) Nordic Prince; (4) Midnight Flyer; (1) Carnarvon.
Race 3: (11:40) – BM41 Handicap – 1365m:
Only five runners line up for this BM41 Handicap but it looks competitive. Secret Passage was ultra impressive when scoring on local debut over 990m and the Subu Gujadhur/Donovan Mansour team look to have an exciting prospect on their hands. Happy Days (Nunes) needed his first run and has plenty of scope for improvement. Expect much better here. Siriano is a newcomer for the Jevin Awotar/Grant Van Niekerk combination and the 3yo son of Querari has enjoyed a fine prep leading into this race. He has decent SA form to his credit and any market support must be taken seriously. My Archangel has not been seen since debuting in the Duchess of York Cup at the end of April when badly hampered and nearly dislodging his rider. Given that he drops steeply in class here, a positive run cannot be ruled but Happy Days appears the stable elect. Global Dollar was a well beaten runner-up last time and looks held once again.
Betting: 9/10 Secret Passage; 2/1 Siriano; 4/1 Happy Days; 33/1 Global Dollar, My Archangel.
Selection: (2) Secret Passage; (1) Happy Days; (3) Siriano; (5) My Archangel.
Race 4: (12:15) – BM46 Handicap – 990m:
Vicky Ruhee-trained Mystic Majesty is unbeaten from four starts on the Island, including two victories over track and trip, and makes his first appearance for 2026. His work at home has been pleasing and the 4yo son of Canford Cliffs looks hard to oppose here. Stated is coming along the right way and together with Grand Bay rate the principal dangers but, over this trip, Mystic Majesty should have their measure and is a worthy odds-on favourite. Alpine Challenge has only previously raced once over the minimum trip but that was three years ago when beating Captainofthesea.
Betting: 5/10 Mystic Majesty; 9/2 Stated; 11/2 Grand Bay; 10/1 Alpine Challenge; 33/1 Cool Cat.
Selection: (5) Mystic Majesty; (1) Grand Bay; (4) Stated; (2) Alpine Challenge.
Race 5: (12:50) – BM51 Handicap – 1450m:
Isikwishikwishi is Hollywood Racing’s first runner on the Island but the 4yo son of Alado could be in need of this pipe-opener. That said Isikwishikwishi has been priced up at 10/1 in the early exchanges and any market move must be respected. There is plenty of form to go around amongst his four rivals and none of the quintet can be ruled out. Superior Force (Nunes) and Let’s Play Poker (Sooful) were both winners of their last starts, the latter over further than he gets here, while Monumental (Danielson) and National Award (Mansour) seldom put a foot wrong and either could emerge victorious. Not an easy race and I have elected to put all five into my suggested Pick 6 perm.
Betting: 18/10 Superior Force; 2/1 Monumental; 33/10 National Award; 10/1 Isikwishikwishi, Lets Play Poker.
Selection: (5) National Award; (4) Monumental; (1) Superior Force; (2) Isikwishikwishi.
Race 6: (13:25) – Bicentenary Cup G2 – 1500m:
What a race this promises to be! The barrier draw has complicated matters for most of the higher-rated runners, including most significantly for Selukwe and At My Command who are drawn on the extreme outside of this maximum field of 10 runners. Selukwe has been priced up favourite at around 2/1 but, while he is a class act and has had the benefit of a run this term, I see very little value there. Given the quality of his track work leading into this race, I fancy Underworld will go really well on local debut for the Awotar/Van Niekerk team and he narrowly gets my vote, but without a great deal of confidence. Last year’s winner, William Iron Arm, is looking an absolute picture and will no doubt be the parade ring standout. He, along with many of the contenders, have not been seen since last Season and current fitness levels and a slice of luck in running will determine the outcome. Duke of York Gold Cup winner, Meridius, makes his debut for the Shirish Narang stable and I suspect he may just need this run in preparation for the Barby Cup at the end of June. I have taken no chances and included the “field” in my suggested Pick 6.
Betting: 2/1 Selukwe; 4/1 Underworld; 13/2 At My Command; 10/1 Port Louis; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) Underworld; (6) William Iron Arm, (5) Selukwe; (2) At My Command.
Race 7: (14:00) – BM61 Handicap – 1500m:
The Preetam Daby trained Bugalugs (Corrales) looks a standout in this 5-horse party and a confident Pick 6 banker. He has been a model of consistency, has had the benefit of a run this season, and is ideally course and distance suited. He is likely to attempt to dominate matters from the front. Join The Dots is a fair sort and in receipt of 4kgs from Bugalugs, poses the biggest threat. Soon Gujadhur’s 5yo son of Vercingetorix may just need this run but the stable is in such good form that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Join The Dots could upset the favourite. Menelaus defeated Bugalugs back in September last year but his subsequent form has been below par. He could have benefitted from a rest and could run well fresh.
Betting: 6/10 Bugalugs; 9/2 Menelaus; 5/1 Join The Dots; 7/1Princeofgreen, 25/1 Jewel Cat.
Selection: (1) Bugalugs; (3) Join The Dots; (5) Menelaus; (4) Princeofgreen.
Race 8: (14:40) – BM26 Handicap – 1450m:
A nice race to close the card with three principal contenders amongst the 7-horse line-up. Blackjack Randall (Mansour) won first up for the Subu Gujadhur stable and the form of that victory has since been franked. Bugle Boy (Nunes) was a costly failure last week but the cheek pieces have been removed and over a slightly shorter trip, the big 3yo son of Elusive Fort may be worth another chance, particularly if ridden with some restraint. The Centurion (Danielson) conquered Bugle Boy narrowly three weeks ago and at the weights there should not be much to choose between the pair. That said, The Centurion leaves the impression that there is a lot more to come and he could well confirm that form. Lomu makes his local debut for the Ruhee/Santos combination and could go well here.
Betting: 11/10 The Centurion; 28/10 Blackjack Randall; 3/1 Bugle Boy; 20/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) The Centurion; (5) Bugle Boy; (2) Blackjack Randall; (6) Lomu.
Betting correct at 17:00 on Thursday 28 May.
Suggested Pick 6 (Races 3-8):
1,2,3 x 5 x Field x Field x 1 x 2,5,7 (R450)
