Don’t Miss The Maiden Cup On Sunday!
Corne Orffer Returns With A Flourish
It is early days yet, but the return of jockey Corne Orffer may be just the tonic trainer Serge Henry needs to get him back to his glory days. Orffer was full of confidence on Saturday as he rode a brilliant double, including the feature event on Profit Report. At the same time Robbie Burke entrenched himself six wins ahead of his nearest rival at the top of the log with a double, while Johnny Geroudis also grabbed a winner.
Big Profit
War Of Conquest looked something of a good thing in the 1365m feature race of the day. Rye Joorawon bounced him out under his light weight and he showed terrific early pace, while the unfancied Profit Report was slightly slow away and lagged behind. At the 1200m mark Always A Pleasure took over from War Of Conquest with Irish Coffee travelling on his outside and The Cardinal just behind them. At this stage Profit Report and Chivas were a little bit outpaced amongst the back markers. Always A Pleasure started to weaken at the 600 m mark and War Of Conquest quickened nicely to edge him again just before entering the final straight. Profit Report under a balanced and cool Orffer had, in the meantime, made up good ground and was just two lengths off War Of Conquest at the 150 m mark. War Of Conquest kept going well but Profit Report produced a nice turn of foot to pass him in the final 50 metres, and in so doing smashed the course record. The Cardinal held on very smartly for third place. An elated Corne Orffer completed his double with Strike Again in the seventh race to beat the lovely grey pacemaker, Select The Star.
Top Jock
Irish jockey Robbie Burke continued his spirited bid to win the local championship. In the second race he upset the two most supported horses in Cult Status and Prince Paseo to win very well aboard Summer Exposure. He made it two wins with the outsider Governator in the fourth race. The grey Governator, who had finished almost 20 lengths back in his last against the same opponents, now reversed the form to beat them easily. Burke has won 23 races, six ahead of French jockey, Gaëtan Faucon. The latter won from pillar to post, as expected, with the hot favorite, Monsieur Dane in the fifth race. The Gujadhur-trained bay gelding won easily here, proving that his third place against a tough field in a Grade 2 event recently was no fluke. Johnny Geroudis, who was not expecting too much when he arrived at the races, had a nice winner with the outsider, Steel Of Approval, in the last race of the day. The longshot won this race easily to beat Mighty Fine and the hot favorite, Royal Ransom with Glen Hatt up. Punters thus went home with their tails between their legs.
People In The News
The exciting news is that Cape Jockey Richard Fourie is expected to commence riding for the Fok stable from this Sunday. It will be a big day for Fourie as this is one of the most popular and well attended meetings of the year. On a slightly less glamorous note, Jockey Teeha, the rider of Cheerful News in the first race, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under MTC Rule 160 (e) and was subsequently suspended from riding in races for two race meetings. The Stewards questioned Assistant Trainer J. M. Henry and jockey Naiko in relation to the handling of Palm of Peace in the same race. Mr. Henry explained that he had instructed jockey Naiko to endeavour to jump well and lead but that if he was unable to lead, he was to maintain his position close to the leaders. He added that the gelding had worked well in the lead up to the race and was supported from a betting perspective by stable connections. Jockey Naiko confirmed these instructions and explained that although he had jumped well he was unable to get to the lead. He was, however, able to secure the position behind the leader. He pointed out that for some distance approaching the 1000 m mark he had been crowded by Cheerful News who eventually shifted in, taking up his running. After viewing the various films, Mr. Henry expressed concern that jockey Naiko had not made sufficient effort to maintain his position behind the leader, thus obliging his mount to race further back than required and in so doing possibly costing him the win. Jockey Naiko pleaded guilty to contravening MTC Rule 160 A (i) for failing to ride Palm Of Peace to the satisfaction of the Stewards. He was suspended from riding in races for two Mauritian race meetings and fined Rs.20, 000. Following the third race, Jockey Sooful, the rider of Fabragas, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under MTC Rule 160 A (e) and was subsequently fined Rs.20, 000, while after the eighth race, Jockey Joorawon, the rider of Happy Al, also pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under MTC Rule 160 A (e) and was suspended from riding in races for one Mauritian race meeting and fined Rs.40, 000.

Our Big One This Sunday!
Sunday sees the running of our most prestigious race, The Grade 1 Phoenix Beverages Maiden Cup, run over 2300 m. A maximum field of eleven runners should line up and Senor Versace could prove a hard nut to crack over the distance after his promising run a fortnight ago. There is, however, some serious opposition and all of Captain’s Knock, Solar Symbol, Naughty Prince, Saubestre and Jive Talking could come up in a tightly contested race.
The Gujadhur-trained Senor Versace has been improving all the time with three promising places in his last three starts. He was a trifle unlucky in his last start over 2050 m when he finished a close second in heavy going. There he was hampered at a crucial stage and the son of Parade Leader has produced his best performances on soft and normal going. He has been impressive at track work since then and he should now be at his peak form. On the weight-for- age terms of this race he looks the one to beat.
Gilbert Rousset’s Captain’s Knock was an unlucky loser of this race last year when Shane Dye rode him. Another son of Parade Leader, he showed lots of courage in his last start when he finished a close fourth under a heavy mass. He was beaten only a short head by Teamog that day and has been brought along with plenty of patience and finds himself in great shape. He will have Johnny Geroudis up and the South African jockey will be keen to repeat his one previous victory in this great race after he scored on Evader in the 1990’s. Captain’s Knock is a versatile sort that likes to travel handy and finishes with power. He should provide the main opposition to Senor Versace.
Solar Symbol won this race last year with Glen Hatt up and the Gujadhur yard will be keen to make it a double. He is a genuine middle distance performer that has a touch of class. He won a race recently over 1600 m and is very consistent. He is in very good shape and as he likes to race up front, he could dictate the pace, and if so could prove difficult to pass. Naughty Prince has raised his game after a dismal last season when he battled to fire. He has won once and been placed three times from just five outings this season. He battled gamely with Senor Versace, Captain’s Knock and Teamog to finish a very good third in his last start in heavy going. While he is holding form well, the distance is probably the biggest question mark against his chances.
Serge Henry’s Pick Six has not had a great time of it in Mauritius and is a shadow of his former self. He bled during a recent start and looks unlikely to challenge for the top honours here. The Vincent Allet-trained Saubestre looks like the dark horse of the race. He actually won his first start here over 1500m and then finished a solid fourth recently over 2050m. He will love the trip and has been very impressive in his track work. Watch this one!
Jockey Robbie Burke could be faced with quite a dilemma come final acceptance time. He faces the choice of riding Teamog or Frusk, both of which won their last start over 2050 m. Teamog was probably the more impressive when he showed lots of guts to make up plenty of ground to beat captain’s Knock, Naughty Prince and Senor Versace in his last start. He is a very honest performer but his task could be tough under the weight- for- age terms of the race. Frusk has won and been placed twice in his last three outings. He was purchased out of the Dean Kannemeyer yard in the Cape specifically for this race and has shown improvement at track work since then and would not be a surprise winner, particularly should Robbie Burke opt to ride him.
The Ricky Maingard inmate Halo Hunter was disappointing in this race last season. He is a very capable stayer but has his battles with soundness problems. His last start is best ignored as he did not enjoy the heavy going. If he strips sound, he could be a nice quartet kicker. The former Joey Ramsden-trained Imperial Cossack has finished in the money once in his two starts here. He won up to 2500m in his native country and has shown fair improvement in his track work. He could snatch a minor place if things go his way.
A competitive race that should produce a thrilling finish. We suggest punters go with Senor Versace to beat Captain’s Knock, with Saubestre and Frusk the dangers.
The full list of nominations: Captain’s Knock, Senor Versace, Solar Symbol, Teamog, Frusk, Pick Six, Naughty Prince, Solar Symbol, Halo Hunter, Imperial Cossack, Anti-Freeze, Seattle Ice, Saubestre, Hold My Jacket, Winter Weather, Western Duel, Galant Gagnant, Just Banter and Jive Talking.