8th meeting – The Gaëtan Halbwachs Cup (1365m – 50+): There will be two races to be run over 1365m for horses of Merit Rating of 50 and above Saturday at the Champ-de-mars racecourse. The 7th race is carded as the feature race with Horse Guards who will try to return to winning ways.
He was chased after hitting the front in his first outing this season and he finished 4th less than one length behind the winner. Horse Guards has the plum draw at the gates and will have apprentice Abishek Sonaram claiming 4 kg. All the lights are green for him to win again after his last defeat.
The opposition will be very tough with 2020’s Duke of York Cup’s winner Black Cat Back who will try to make a winning return to competition. The Ramapatee Gujadhur’s horse was nominated for The Barbé Cup, but his trainer has chosen to race him on 1365m. He may have his reasons. Black Cat Back is a strong front runner who has done very well by winning his barrier trial on the 22nd of June.
Huyssteen will be a hard nut to crack. He won three of his four last races. He is a very consistent sort and he showed a great finish to score on 990m last time out. The longer trip will be a better. He will be the main danger with his light weight and his good second draw.
Count Jack, who was distressed after his first race in Mauritius, seemed to have recovered. He might be right there this time.
The nominated horses in this race were split in two and the 5th race will be as interesting as the 7th race. Last time winner Wall Tag is set to win again. He will, however, have to beat some good competitors such as Prince Of Persia, Kamadeva and Rule The Night.
Selection: Horse Guards-Huyssteen- Black Cat Back – Count Jack
Tips
Race 1 – 1600m (0-20)
Opague – Seoul – Desert Thief – Eagles Vision
Race 2 – 1500m (0-25)
Al Madhar – Eurotec – Flowerscape – The Riddler
Race 3 – 16400m (B36)
Alameery – Kingsman – Nao Faz Mal – Good Buddy
Race 4 – 1600m (B46)
Liverpool Champ – Lemon Drop Shot – Ovation Award – Inauguration
Race 5 – 1365m (50+)
Wall Tag – Kamadeva – Rule The Night – Prince Of Persia
Race 6 – 990m (B51)
Candy Apple – Emerald Band – Henry Tudor – Color My Fate
(Horse number 1, Toro Bravo, and Emergency Acceptor Hooves Of Thunder have been scratched)
Race 8 – 1850m (B31)
Giratorio – Dreamforest – Nimitz – Overdose
Race 9 – 1400m (0-26)
Master Of Disguise – Free To Win – Amandla – Grand Vision
Bankers: Al Madhar, Liverpool Champ
Value Bets: Candy Apple, Black Cat Back
Outsiders: Virtue, Nimitz
