The champion horse of 2020 has not win yet this year. Patrol Officer did not finished far from the winners on his last two outings and he will try to bounce back over the 1500m of the Group II race this Sunday at the Champ-de-Mars racecourse.
He was crowned Horse of the year after winning all his five races in 2020. When we added his three win at the end of 2019, Patrol Officer was on an eight in a row winning streak. He raced twice in 2021. He was not ridden well on his first outing and finished third, and he had a difficult race on the outside last time.
Patrol Officer has got enough quality to match with his rivals. He is in a better shape and he will carry 4 kg less than Undercover Agent who finished 3.20L ahead of him on the 9th meeting.
Undercover Agent scored a great win in The Barbe Cup (GI) last time. He was able to take the lead and his jockey controlled the pace of the race to perfection to keep enough gas for the final straight. He might try the same tactics, but he will have to battle with some speedy horses to hit the front.
Frosted Gold was bought at a high price in South Africa. His owners, Jean Michel Lee-Shim and trainer Ricky Maingard, have high hopes that he will become one of the best horse in Mauritius. He finished fourth behind Padre Pio and Ehsaan on his first race. He will break from draw number 1 at the gates and big improvement is expected from him.
Trippi’s Express did nothing wrong in his two races this year with two second places. He is in top form and he must be feared with his lightweight.
Trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur will try to turn the tables with two good horses who are decent outsiders. Black Cat Back, who won the Gold Cup in 2020, will be hard to catch if he can take the lead after breaking from barrier 10. Eyes Wide Open was among the best horses in South Africa. His trainer took all the needed time to bring him back to a very good form. He will make his debut in Mauritius and he is one to be watched closely even if he has not races since August 2020.
Selection: Patrol Officer – Undercover Agent – Trippi’s Express – Frosted Gold
Tips
Race 1 – 1500m (0-25)
Opague –Flowerscape – The Riddler – Eurotec
Race 2 – 1650m (B36)
Giggin – Why Wouldn’t Yew – Borya – Eight Cities
Race 3 – 1500m (B41)
Viking Trail – Afdeek – Bestday Of Mylife – Cash Call
Race 4 – 1365m (B46)
Al Aasy – Chapter And Verse – Watch Me Dad – King Of Tara
Race 5 – 1400m (B61)
Tower Of Wisdom – Ideal Secret – Northern Spy – Ehsaan
Race 7 – 990m (B31)
Raheeb – Nikhils Inn – Marula – Jals Tiger
Race 8 – 1600m (0-26)
Chosen Way – Free To Win – Silver Song – Gontravelin
Bankers: Opague – Chosen Way
Value Bets: Tower Of Wisdom – Patrol Officer
Outsiders: Why Wouldn’t Yew – Al Aasy
