A duel between Shah Akbar and Nourbese which is looming in the second leg of the four years-old championship which will be run over 1600m this Saturday at the Champ-de-Mars.
He was the author of a great race in The Duchess of York Cup (1400m – G2) on his debut. Shah Akbar almost did it from start to finish, and he was caught by his stablemate Royal Wulff. He ran over a distance too short given the fact that he finished third in SA Derby (2400m – G1) and that he participated in the July Handicap (2200m – G1) in South Africa.
Shah Akbar showed great fighting spirit against Royal Wulff in the final straight even though he was not yet at his best. This is a sign that he is a formidable competitor. He showed more in training and he will be in top physical condition this Saturday. The horse trained by Ramapatee Gujadhur will try to win from start to finish once again. The 1600m will better suit him. And his opponents will have to be very strong to beat him.
Nourbese suffered his first defeat in Mauritius during the first round of the championship reserved for 4-year-old horses over 1400m on June 25. He will seek revanche in the second leg. Trained by the champion trainer, Ricky Maigard, Nourbese won his three races with South African jockey Piere Corne Orffer in the saddle last year in Mauritius.
Nourbese simply lacked finish against tougher opponents such as Walls Of Dubrovnik and Royal Wulff last time with his jockey, Rai Joorawon losing his whip 150m from the finish line. He should certainly not be condemned for this race. Nourbese was not in his best and he has improved a lot since then. He will be a strong contender, but he will find a certain Shah Akbar on his way.
We await with impatience the debut of The Gatekeeper at the Champ-de-Mars. He was acquired at a high price to run in the big races. He won twice over 1400m and 1600m in South Africa. He competed against the best horses finishing third place in the Cape Derby (2000m – G1). He is a strong finisher who races off the pace. The Gatekeeper was brilliant during the training sessions with an excellent barrier trial which he easily won on Tuesday June 28. He can be right there.
Absolutist won over 1650m in Mauritius in 2021. He already ran twice this season. He was very unlucky on the 4th race meeting when he did not find the gap in the final straight. He will run against very tough opponents.
Selection: Shah Akbar – Nourbese – The Gatekeeper
Tips
Race 1 – (0-26) – 1365m
Lite Of My Life – Billionaire – Rain Must Fall
Race 2 – (0-20) – 1500m
Desert Thief – Heart Of Darkness – Xanthus
Race 3 – B36 – 1450m
The Jazz Singer – Copenhagen – Manterio
Race 4 – B31 – 990m
Cartel Boss – Mauritius – Desert Boy
Race 5 – G2 – 1600m
Shah Akbar – Nourbese – The Gatekeeper
Race 6 – B51 – 1650m
Lunafacation – Consul Of War – Lemon Drop Shot
Race 7 – B41- 1365m
Brabanzio – Grand Vision – Memphis Mafia – Alameery
Tips
- Bankers : Cartel Boss – Lite Of My Life
- Value Bets : Desert Thief – Lunafacation
- Outsiders: Manterio – Memphis Mafia
Shah Akbar last trackwork
Shah Akbar last race
Nourbese last trackwork
Nourbese last win
The Gatekeeper last trackwork
The Gatekeeper two wins in South Africa
Absolutist last trackwork
Absolutist last win
Horses weights
