A good fight is to be expected in the main race which will be contested over 1600m this Saturday. Undercover Agent and Royal Wulff stand out, but Captain Flynt will also be a danger.
Undercover Agent and Royal Wulff are the two classy horses. Undercover Agent won the Princess Margaret Cup (1400m – G1) in 2020, and The Barbe Cup (1600m – G1) in 2021. He has also placed in many classic races with lately a good second place in The Duke Of York Cup (1600m – G1) in 2022.
Undercover Agent did well in his two races this season with two third place behind The Gatekeeper. He took the third place in the first classic race of the People’s Turf PLC Ltd (PTP), a group 1 contested over 1600m. Undercover Agent was beaten only by top stars The Gatekeeper and Frosted Gold on July 8th. We must also keep in mind that Undercover Agent is the only one to have beaten Walls Of Dubrovnik in Mauritius.
Undercover Agent is in excellent physical condition, and his rival will have to be very strong to beat him on Saturday. It will be even more difficult for his opponents if Undercover Agent ever finds himself leading the race.
Royal Wulff will be the main danger. He remains on a single victory in The Duchess Of York Cup (1400m – G2) in 2022. He took second place behind Frosted Gold in the Barbé Cup last year. He never won again in Mauritius. Royal Wulff finished strongly to take second place behind Walls Of Dubrovnik for his comeback race this year. He finished only 0.80L from the 2022 champion horse. But Walls Of Dubrovnik was not in top form during this run.
Royal Wulff is an excellent finisher who will be advantaged if ever there is a fight for the lead, and if the race is run at high speed. He changed trainer, and his is now trained by Shirish Narang. He will have the Chilean jockey Roberto Perez in the saddle.
Captain Flynt can attempt a tactical move with his first line at the start and his light weight. He is a very good ‘front runner’ who can upset the odds.
Tips
Race 1 – 1500m (0-20)
Al Jazeera – French Rebel – The Gypsy King
Race 2 – 990m (0-25)
Vartacus – Jack Tarr – Camps Bay
Race 3 – 1400m (0-26)
Charlie Squadron – Yoho Mist – Williamthefighter – Thewolfofwolseley
Race 4 – 1650m – B36
Giggin – One Day Or Day One – Secret Oasis – Stageworld
Race 5 – 1600m – 50+
Undercover Agent – Royal Wulff – Captain Flynt
Race 6 – 990m – B51
Spry – Night King – Goethe
Race 7 – 1600m – B41
Arlingtons Revenge – Nikhils Inn – Al Aasy – Canary Island
- Top wins: Charlie Squadron – Giggin – Vartacus
- Value Bets : Night King – Undercover Agent
- Outsiders : The Gypsy King – Arlingtons Revenge
Undercover Agent last win
Royal Wulff last win
Captain Flynt last win
Padre Pio scratched
Padre Pio, horse number 4 of race 5 (The Anou Marye Pike 300th Edition Cup) for Race Meeting 20 on Saturday 05 August 2023, has been scratched at 8.15. a.m. this Friday 4 August 2023 by the Racing Stewards of the Horse Racing Division, acting on veterinary advice. Padre Pio has a swollen right knee.
As per the rules for fixed odds betting, all monies placed on Padre Pio are cancelled and refunded, and betting is to be reopened. Tickets for fixed odds for that race must bear a special mention. For the tote, the bets on Padre Pio will be refunded after the official results for Race 5 on Saturday 05 August 2023, except for all other types of bets where it is stipulated that it is replaced by the Tote favourite.
For People’s Tote, all bets are refunded with immediate effect.
Jockey Perez suspended for six race meetings
Chilian jockey Roberto Perez was charged by the stewards of the Horse Racing Division (HRD) during an inquiry held on Friday under the rule 43.2.1 of the Rules of racing for not taking all permissible measures to ensure that his horse Free To Win (runner in race 4 last week) had the opportunity to get the best positioning in the race.
Perez pleaded not guilty, but he was found guilty by the stewards, and he was suspended for six race meetings. He has the right to appeal against this decision.
