Winner on his two previous races, Undercover Agent will try to score a hat-trick by winning the feature race on Saturday at the Champ-de-mars racecourse. He will carry more weight than his main opponents and that will be the only disadvantage for him.
Undercover Agent is a changed horse this season. This highly rated gelding in South Africa has won only one race in 2020, which was far from what was expected from him. He blossomed during the big break of six months and bounced back. Undercover Agent won The Barbe Cup, a group 1 race over 1600m, from pillar to post at the beginning of July, and he confirmed using the same tactic last month in a group 2 race (1500m). He will be the big favourite to score a third win as he will break from gate number one, and he will be able to hit the front easily. He will be hard to beat, despite his Top-weight, if he does so, and if he is not challenged in the early stages.
Baritone has made a great come-back after nine month when he finished third behind Undercover Agent last time. He is a genuine performer and he will be a good challenger as he is in a better shape. He might get a dream run on the fence and he will fire at the finish.
Marauding is close to his best. He finished strongly over the 990m in The Lightning Cup, stopping the clock at 33.02 seconds for the last 600m, to finish third. The trip was too short for him. He will be well suited on the 1400m. He has only to overcome his bad draw. Trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur will be very happy if he wins The Hinterland Cup, as Hinterland was one of the greatest champion horse he trained in Mauritius and who raced with his colours in Dubai afterwards.
Iditarod Trail did nothing wrong on his last outing. He followed too far behind and he finished strongly securing the fourth place. He will carry a lightweight after a long spell and he can be right there.
Kamadeva will also be a decent outsider with only 52.5 kg on his back. He has a good draw and might be tempted to try a pillar to post if he breaks faster than Undercover Agent from the gates.
Selection
Undercover Agent, Baritone, Marauding, Iditarod Trail.
Tips
Race 1 – 1500m (0-20)
Tiger’s Bond – Rochestser – Glitterrock – Greatfiveeight
Race 2 – 1400 (0-26)
Mouted Warrior – Ultimate Warrior – Citadel – San Andreas
Race 3 – 1850m – B36
Canary Island – Nimitz- Bellagio King – Overdose
Race 4 – 990m – B41
Captain Garett – Go Jewel – Dark Force – Ninotto
Race 5 – 1650m – B46
Kaydens Pride – Mambo Rock – Arlingtons Revenge – Sockeroo
Race 7 – 990m – B31
Desert Boy – Remus – Raheeb – Rock Manor
Race 8 – 1450m (0-25)
Free To Win – Follow Suit – After The Order – Opague
Bankers : Desert Boy, Tiger’s Bond
Value Bets: Canary Island, Follow Suit
Outsiders: Arlingtons Revange, Citadel
