Derreck David – the man to follow again
The Mauritius programme today has been reduced to seven races with the second race abandoned. The meeting thus commences at 11h05 with the first race slotting into the second race start time.
1st Race (now starts at 11h05)
TIGER MASTER gets the vote in this wide open contest. He finished runner-up last Saturday, and the decision has been taken for him to run again. Still in good nick, he can go one better if he overcomes his very bad draw.
Fire Curtain’s last run must be ignored. He had been performing consistently before that, and if he is near his very best, he should go close.
Captain Matthew is another horse that is back again. He failed to turn up last Saturday, but he is much better than that. It would pay to include him in all combinations.
Another horse worth following is Pageantry. He was not disgraced in his previous outing. In decent shape throughout, he should be right up there.
Obama is given tons of respect here. The shorter trip and lower class should suit him. His yard is in very good form, and Derreck David is riding in supreme confidence.
After finishing runner-up to Kremlin Captain in last season’s International weekend, City Treasurer has disappointed. His last start was promising though, as he was not very far behind the winner. He looked excellent at track work, and based on that, he should go close here.
Our Favourite: TIGER MASTER
The Dangers: Fire Curtain, Captain Matthew, Pageantry
2nd Race (abandoned)
3rd Race
VAN DER SCALER is given another chance here. He had a very rough run in his latest, which compromised his chances. He has done well when Jeanot Bardottier has ridden him and a big run is forthcoming from him.
Montante has yet to show his hand this season. In fact, he has not turned up since he scored a stunning upset in the Maiden Cup meeting last season. He has improved considerably at track work, and looks a major prospect here.
Steel Of Approval has been excellent in training recently. He looks to be a serious contender in that modest field.
Destiny’s Tale is running in a much lower class this time round, and is worth a thought with Stall 1.
Jungle Skyline needed the run badly in his latest. He is in much improved condition, and should improve.
Our Favourite: VAN DER SCALER
The Dangers: Steel Of Approval, Destiny’s Tale, Montante
4th Race
A wide open contest, with many horses stating their cases, but preference is for AL CAPITANO. This son of Captain Al has steadily improved since the start of his debut season. 3rd and 2nd in his last two races, he is taken to finally break the ice.
Elite Class is a horse that can do no wrong at the moment. He has won all but one of his races this season. He has come out very well from a long rest, and has shown no signs of rust. Another big showing is expected from him.
Deux Fabuleax scored a gutsy win almost two months ago. He runs well fresh, and should be in the shake up once again.
Craftsman will be looking to confirm, after bagging a dominant win in his latest. It may look a tough task for him in a higher division, but don’t rule him out with Stall 1.
The Shailesh Ramdin-trained Liam went close in his last start, finishing 3rd, 1.6 lengths behind Prince Of Wings. He has not disgraced himself in his performances this season, and a reproduction of his last run can see him snap his winless drought.
Our Favourite: AL CAPITANO
The Dangers: Elite Class, Craftsman, Deux Fabuleax
5th Race
Scorecard will be looking to bounce back from his previous start, when his unbeaten run ended and also finishing outside the money. He looks to have done the basics correct in training, and the fact he has dropped down a division should see him rebound strongly.
PHIRI E KWATILE justified his status as favourite in his last outing. His debut season has been a success so far, only finishing either 1st or 2nd in all of his races. On his best form, he will be hard to beat.
Ruby King has been in the money in each of his last three races. Well-trained and down a category, he merits the utmost respect.
Nothing Compares is a strong each-way bet, while Hot Rocket looks an interesting outsider.
Our Favourite: PHIRI E KWATILE
The Dangers: Ruby King, Scorecard, Nothing Compares
6th Race – The Coolest Chili Cup
The leader of the Stables’ championship has entered Not Liable and DUSTAN over this 1850 metre main event.
Not Liable has performed erratically since returning to competition, losing points on the rating scale. However, he has ran into misfortune in some of his races, preventing him from going close. He looked solid in his workouts, and the longer trip should benefit this good finisher.
Stable mate DUSTAN once again came up trumps in race meeting 21, finishing like a bullet to take another excellent win. He sets the standard in this contest, and is taken to run another cracker.
Independence has a couple of good results behind him and it won’t be a surprise if he manages to find that extra and score. He has been trained to kill.
Tube Wave remains winless in 2015, although he has been unlucky on more than one occasion. He is more than capable of rewriting the statistics, having looked his usual self in training.
Beacon Flare warrants major consideration here. In fact, he was victorious when he last ran over this trip, and in this category. He is in good nick and will have his say.
After an impressive 3rd in the Mauritius Derby Cup meeting, Rasheed is back from a long rest, and having impressed in his gallops, he is another one for the shortlist.
Our Favourite: DUSTAN
The Dangers: Independence, Rasheed, Tube Wave
7th Race
DOUBLE DASH is the pick in this penultimate race. This Patrick Merven-trained gelding has not done a lot wrong this season, even if he is still looking for his first win. In top order and ridden by the in-form Swapneel Rama, he can end the wait.
Roventas is rated as the biggest danger. A line can be put through his recent race, as he was hindered at a crucial moment. He can bounce back and it won’t be at all surprising if he comes out on top.
Stable mate Straight Jab won in the 11th meeting, but he failed to confirm in his last start, finishing only 4th. He does have ability and should be in the shake up this time round.
Fidelis looked a winner at one point in his last start, but he finished a fading 3rd. He does have ability and can make the frame once again.
For the lower placings, Mighty Lion is just a place bet.
Our Favourite: DOUBLE DASH
The Dangers: Roventas, Straight Jab, Fidelis
8th Race
EVEN CHANCE shades the selection in the final race on the card. He is running in a much lower division and looks the sole frontrunner in this contest. He will be very hard to stop, if allowed to run freely.
Blizzard Of Ozz is another horse that is down a division. He has showed up well in his last few outings, even if he was no match for the winners. He can certainly strike here, and open his Mauritian account in the process.
Obligation is a very inconsistent performer. He has occasionally shown flashes of his ability, and if he can bring his A-Game here, he can contend.
Roman Express and Torero are rated as two interesting outsiders.
Our Favourite: EVEN CHANCE
The Dangers: Roman Express, Blizzard Of Ozz, Obligation
