The withdrawal of the talented Profit Report made Robbie Burke’s task of winning the feature race on Fingal’s Cave last weekend, a lot easier. It was the Maigrot trained charge’s third straight win and he looks to have plenty of stake cheques left in him yet. On the jockey front Johnny Geroudis and Imran Chisty each rode a double while the high-riding Gilbert Rousset yard had three winners on an entertaining afternoon.
Fingal’s Cave simply loves Mauritius. Of that there is little doubt and the good-looking bay gelding has come on in leaps and bounds since departing his Phillipi base where he enjoyed the professional attention of top South African trainer Justin Snaith.In this race he showed good his customary good early pace to travel in third position behind the pacemakers Modern Monet and Bright Stone. In the back straight, Cape Gold improved his position to race just behind Bright Stone. Following behind Fingal’s Cave were all of Silverware, another former Snaith horse in Alvaro, and Pick Six. Modern Monet kept going well and at the 300 metres mark, Bright Stone was the first to weaken as Fingal’s Cave started his move. Modern Monet extended his lead when he entered the final straight but Fingal’s Cave produced a blistering turn of foot to easily edge out the Gujadhur charge. Pick Six finished well to take the third place.Watch Fingal’s Cave next season!
CHAMPION TRAINER
Gilbert Rousset has already secured the champion trainer title but that did not stop him from winning three more races. With Geroudis back, he was expecting a big day and so it was as Johnny G rode two of the winners, with apprentice Roby Bheekary winning on Pride Of Prussia. He started at 15-1 and opened the day for the stable in the race reserved for Mauritian jockeys and apprentices. Pride Of Prussia travelled among the back markers throughout and produced a good finish in the last 300 metres to win from Cactus Wolf. Johnny Geroudis then made it two for the stable when he won from pillar to post on the odds- on favorite, Shutterfly and then waited patiently to win the seventh race on the former Wendy Whitehead-trained Sergeant Major. This son of Parade Leader won with ease and he looks another nice one for the notebook. .
Indian jockey, Imran Chisty, scored his double for the Vincent Allet stable. He won the fifth race with the evergreen ten year old Heliotrope and after travelling close to the pacemaker throughout, he proved to be the better finisher in the final 150 metres to win well. Chisty then produced another cool and intelligent ride on Umhlanga in the eighth race. Umhlanga jumped very well at the start to hit the front to set his own pace. However, when Young Announcer snatched the lead in the back straight, Chisty did not panic and waited for the beginning of the final straight to make his move. Umhlanga kicked on nicely to win well from the outsider, Kilto, with Nishal Teeha in the saddle.
HATT’S OFF
Glen Hatt would have had a smile back on his face after a slight winner drought when he won on the hot favorite I’ll Be Back in the fourth race. I’ll Be Back who traveled in second position throughout kicked on well to win easily leaving the second placed Constellation almost four lengths away. Mauritian jockey, Vinay Naiko has built up a nice understanding with the former Joey Ramsden owned and trained Dubai and he is the only jockey who has managed to win on the Mahess Ramdin charge this season. In the second race Dubai traveled among the back markers throughout and held up for a run at the crucial moment, arrived just in time to pip Fabragas on whom Richard Fourie looked to have poached a winning lead.
PEOPLE NEWS
It was a relatively quiet week on the people front with Jockey Johnny Geroudis, obviously showing the indulgent benefits of a relaxing week spent in South Africa, pleading guilty under MTC Rule 111 (3) for declaring overweight when riding Waterside Jet on Saturday. He was fined Rs 10 000 and he will no doubt be doing some gym work!. Yashin Emamdee pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under MTC Rule 160 A (e), when riding Stunning Do in the fourth race. He was suspended from riding in races for one Mauritian race meeting.
Apprentice Vikram Sola also pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding when riding Power Of Poseidon in the first race under MTC Rule 160 A (e), and he was suspended for one race meeting.
THIS WEEKEND IN MAURITIUS
CRICKET SCORE FROM CAPTAIN’S KNOCK?
The Grade 2 La Coupe des Presidents to be run over 2050m this Saturday is the very last group race of our season. It has attracted a nice field of eight horses, with six of them harbouring realistic chances of a victory.
The race has a very wide open look to it with last year’s winner and the 2010 Maiden Cup winner, Captain’s Knock in the mix. This fellow should start a hot order in the betting but the likes of Senor Versace, Seattle Ice and Major Storm are no slouches and a good case can be made for each one of them.
It is no secret that trainer Gilbert Rousset rates Captain’s Knock very highly and while it is common knowledge that the son of Parade Leader has suffered a few health issues of late, it is reliably reported that these are now a thing of the past and he finds himself in very good shape. Trainer Gilbert Rousset said this week that he was very satisfied with the big bay gelding’s track work. While he will carry a heavy mass, he should nevertheless win if running to his very best form.
Senor Versace was extremely unlucky when he went down by a whisker on the line from his stable companion, Solar Symbol, at his last outing. The grey gelding is holding his form nicely and has been impressive at track work. According to reports, he should have Rye Joorawon in the saddle and his opportunity of winning his first race at the Champ de Mars has never been better. His stable companion, Solar Symbol looks a little off form at the moment. The chestnut gelding was very disappointing in his last start and his chances of upsetting the field on Saturday look limited.
Seattle Ice is yet to win in Mauritius but the Serge Henry charge has finished in the money in each of his six starts. He ran a very good race in the Gold Cup when finishing third in a race run in record time. He should have won a month ago over the 2050 metres when was hampered and could not get a clear run at a crucial time. . Seattle Ice is in very good shape and he looks cherry ripe to open his account at the Champ de Mars.
Major Storm is a consistent sort and he is improving gradually. The Rameshwar Gujadhur-trained charge won impressively in his last start over 1850 metres and though he is now up in class, he stands a good outside chance here. He should carry a lightweight and that could prove to be a decisive advantage. Just Banter is a consistent sort that has won against opponents of inferior class and his chances of beating some of the best stayers on the island look remote but he can finish in the money. Autumn Frost has been very disappointing since the beginning of the season and is best left alone at this stage. An interesting race in the offing and we suggest a good bet on Captain’s Knock.
Nominations: Captain’s Knock, Saubestre, Senor Versace, Solar Symbol, Just Banter, Seattle Ice, Autumn Frost and Major Storm.
