The second leg of the 4 years old championship will run over 1600m next Saturday at the Champ-de-mars racecourse. Co-winner, dead-heat with Ehsaan last time, Padre Pio will try to win the second of the three rounds and make the break in the title race.
Padre Pio showed great fighting spirit on his last outing. He had a hard time having to race wide after he battled for the lead. He surely left some energy in the first quarter of the 1400m. Apprentice Alvino Roy still decided to put pressure on him early at the 400m mark to try to make the break. Padre Pio hit the front easily but he was fading in the last 100m. Ehsaan caught him 50m from the line, but Padre Pio dug deep to hold on.
The Joey and Byan Foo Kune’s (sons of ex-bookmaker Paul Foo Kune) owned horse is the most expensive buy for the 2021 season. He already showed that he was full of quality with a win and a second place in The Duchess Of York Cup. Trainer Simon Jones booked Irish jockey Stephen Donohoe for Saturday’s Race. A sign that the connections want to put all the chances on their side to score a second win with Padre Pio.
After having been beaten three times by Foo Kune’s horses (Var’s Elision beating Footy Goal twice, and Padre Pio defeated Frosted Gold), ex-bookmaker now owner Michel Lee Shim will not be up with the fight win Frosted Gold again. Trainer Ricky Maingard even decided not to nominate last time winner Alramz who is also a 4 years old gelding. He puts his faith in Fools Gold and Kaydens Pride. He will try to take advantage of the light weight of Kaydens Pride (52 kg compare to 56 kg for Padre Pio). Kaydens Pride already won two races this season and he is in top form.
Etched In Blue finished strongly to bag his first win in Mauritius over 1365m on the 3rd of July. He is on the up at the track work and he can be right there again with experience Rai Joorawon on board.
He can take a trick out of the bag. Rightly named Bag Of Tricks can upset the favourites. He did nothing wrong with two third places in his only races in Mauritius. He will have the blinkers on for the first time in Mauritius and he must be watched closely.
Selection: Padre Pio – Kaydens Pride – Bag Of Tricks – Etched In Blue
Tips
Race 1 – 1600m (0-15)
Xanthus – Misty Roller – Groban – Biometric
Race 2 – 1500m (0-26)
Beni Des Dieux – Ruby Spirit = Oxford Blue – Master Mariner
Race 3 – 1400m (B31)
Ron’s Joy – River Thames – Six Degrees – Tyrian
Race 4 – 1450m (B51)
Seattle Kid – Mambo Rock – Quatro Five Six – Gimmetherain
Race 5 – 1450m (B36)
Thomas Henry – Alameery – Do Or Dare – Skip The Red
Race 6 – 1450m (B51)
Colour My Fate – Hubble – All About The Bass – Royal Italian
Race 8 – 1450m (0-25)
Bleu Royale – Yankee Force – Al Jazeera – Anza-Borrego
Race 9 – 1365m (0-20)
Mauritius – Loosen Your Tie – Dunzie – Captain Falcon
Bankers: Mauritius – Beni Des Dieux
Value Bets: Colour My Fate – Ron’s Joy
Outsiders: Groban – Quatro Five Six
