Meeting 25: The most prestigious race in Mauritius will be run on Sunday over 2400m at the Champ-de-mars racecourse. The 2020 winner Alshibaa will try to win it again and enter in the small circle of horses who won this Group I twice.
TWIST OF FATE (B. FAYD’HERBE – V. ALLET)
He is the best horse imported from South-Africa (SA) recently. He won The Duchess Of York Cup (1400m – G3) on his first outing when he flew in at the finish. He was beaten by a short margin in The Barbe Cup (1600m – GII) and he is now trying his luck in the Maiden Cup. He never won a race on a distance above 1800m in SA. He is a classy sort who will be a good challenger to the favourite.
Twist Of Fate last trackwork
Twist Of Fate last win
ALSHIBAA (R. JOORAWON – R. MAINGARD)
He will be the hot favourite of the race this year. He was the challenger last year when he competed against White River who won in 2019. Alshibaa defeated the champion horse of 2019 winning easily. White River was injured during the race and his career ended. Alshibaa won two of his three races this year. He did it easily in The Golden Trophy (2200m). He will try to win The Maiden Cup for the second time as Tahara Maid (1905-06), Lines Of Power (1988-89), Have Mercy (2003-05) and Enaad (2017-18) did in the past. He is the horse to beat.
Alshibaa last trackwork
Alshibaa last win
PATROL OFFICER (D. SOOFUL – G. ROUSSET)
Horse of the year 2020, Patrol Officer has not yet won in 2021. His last win was over 2100m and the champion trainer Gilbert Rousset had since then targeted the Maiden Cup. Patrol Officer finished second at only 0.85L behind Alshibaa in The Golden Trophy. He is in a much better shape and he will be a good outsider with his good draw at the gates.
Patrol Officer last trackwork
Patrol Officer last win
THE DAZZLER (R. BHEEKARY – S. NARANG)
He is a decent performer who tried hard but he is always beaten by better horses. He won twice over 2000m in SA and finished third in The Golden Trophy. The Dazzler can take the lead and he will try to hold on. But his bad draw might be a big disadvantage if the horses on his inside decided not to let him hit the front easily.
The Dazzler last trackwork
The Dazzler last win
MARSHALL FOCH (N. TEEHA – G. ROUSSET)
He won his five races in SA from pillar to post. He was not able to race in front in four races in Mauritius. It might change on Sunday as he has a good draw and there is not a real front runner in the race. He won over 2000m in SA and his is also in a better shape. He will be the pacemaker for his stable companion Patrol Officer. We have seen some big outsiders who were also pacemakers won the Maiden Cup. Can Marshall Foch make it all?
Marshall Foch last trackwork
Marshal Foch last race
OPERA ROYAL (I. SANTANA – S. HURCHUND)
Brazilian jockey Ivaldo Santana has a high strike rate winning 32.3% of his races. He will be well motivated to win this prestigious race with Opera Royal. His horse won over 2200m in 2019. Opera Royal did not finished far behind Alshibaa on his last two outings. He was excellent at the trackwork. He won’t be far away.
Opera Royal last trackwork
Opera Royal last race
PADRE PIO (B. WOODWORTH – S. JONES)
He was purchased at a very expensive price by the sons of ex-bookmaker Paul Foo Kune. Padre Pio was expected to become the new star of the Mauritian racing. But he did not live up to expectations. He won only one race sharing it with Ehsaan as they finished dead-heat. He won over 1400m and 1800m in SA and finished 16th 22.55L behind the winner over 2200m. He was well trained for this race and he will have to be at his best to compete with the best horses.
Padre Pio last trackwork
Padre Pio last win
BAG OF TRICKS (S. RAMA – R. GUJADHUR)
He was crowned champion of the 4 years old horses of 2021. Bag Of Tricks showed some good finish to win over 2050m in B 61 last time. He will run for the first time over 2400m and will face a tougher opposition. A fast pace will suit him and he might be right there at the finish.
Bag Of Tricks last trackwork
Bag Of Tricks last win
Selection: Alshibaa – Patrol Officer – Twist Of Fate – Opera Royal
Tips
Race 1- 1650m – (0-20)
Tiger’s Bond – Siberian Husky – Bypass – Jet Path
Race 2 – 1500m – (0-26)
Oxford Blue – Manetheren – Smuts – Ultimate Warrior
Race 3 – 1600m – B36
Canary Island – Kalgoorlie – Viking Trail – Senor’s Guest
Race 4 – 1400m – B46
Watch Me Dad – Roman Dancer – Chapter And Verse – Captain Gone Wild
Race 5 – 2100m – B61
Tsitsikamma Dance – Special Blend – Backpacker – Moschino
Race 6 – 2400m – G1
Alshibaa – Patrol Officer – Twist Of Fate – Opera Royal
Race 7 – 990m – B31
Brabanzio – Jals Tiger – Poinciana – Doublethink
Race 9 – 1365m – (0-25)
Spry – Justinian – Capkuta – Jacalac
Bankers : Brabanzio – Spry
Value Bets : Tsitsikamma Dance – Watch Me Dad
Outsiders: Patrol Officer –Viking Trail
