LE CAUDAN WATERFRONT CUP SOUVENIR TROPHY : VICTORY TEAM TO REBOUND
Just seven horses will be lining up in the penultimate main contest of the season over 1365 metres. While five of these horses have tasted success this season, it is a last chance saloon for one runner that remains winless – having arrived in Mauritius at the beginning of this season with an excellent reputation. There is also the presence of a newcomer, who is finally ready for his debut.
The fight for the Trainers’ championship remains mathematically alive, with Rameshwar Gujadhur looking to build on the momentum he gained from the last meeting. His hopes lie on the shoulders of both NOTTINGHAMSHIRE and BELONG TO ME, while Gilbert Rousset knows that victory for either ARGUN or ENTREE will be a major shot in the arm for his hopes of retaining his crown.
Since his strong debut showing in race meeting 12, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE has risen up in the ratings. Along the way, he has won three races and finished runner-up in his other three starts. It has been an excellent debut season for this son of Silvano, and his yard has been delighted with him.
He will look to end the season by completing his hat-trick, and based on his current form, he has a strong chance of doing so. Jameer Allyhosain rides him once again.
A winner of five races, including a Group 3, BELONG TO ME arrived with a highly respected reputation. In six races though, his best results have been two 4th place finishes, a disappointing return. He appears to have shown a lot of improvement at track work recently, clocking some eye-catching chronos in the process. Based on this, he is entitled to be in the shakeup with the in-form Sunil Bussunt on board.
After striking in his first two races, ARGUN has not come close since. Even so, he has made the podium in each of his five follow-ups, producing a good level of consistency. He would have preferred a much longer trip here but even so, he warrants the utmost respect in this contest. In the irons is Pravesh Horil, who has been in impressive form since returning from New Caledonia.
Stable mate ENTREE has won three times this season, which is a very healthy return. However, he has gone off the boil in his recent attempts, finishing unplaced in his last two races and some distance behind the winners. He appears to be in good condition and with Rakesh Bhaugeerothee riding him, he is entitled to make his presence felt in this.
The yard of Amar Sewdyal has impressed just about every observer this season. They will be looking to add a feature race win to their growing collection, and VICTORY TEAM (Swapneel Rama) is capable of doing so. Having arrived from South Africa as a virtual unknown, it is correct to say that he has performed excellently, winning three races and finishing runner-up on two occasions. Of those two second places, they came in the Group 3 Hinterland Cup, and in his last showing on Duke Of York Cup day.
This son of Var should have no problems in competing in Benchmark 61 this time round. He is in excellent shape, and as he looks to be the sole frontrunner in this contest, he will be a very tough nut to crack.
After the highs of last season, 2017 has been tough for the yard of Ricky Maingard. They will be hoping that PSYCHO SYD (Doorgesh Bheekary) can earn them just their second win in a feature race this season, as well as some much needed cheer. This five-year old managed to open his account in race meeting 30, producing a bullet-like finish to get the better of Ryder Cup at the end.
He remains in good shape and form, and he has a solid chance of making it two wins in-a-row.
KAPITAN (Dinesh Sooful) makes his debut for Chitranjan Ramdin’s yard. In South Africa, he won five times and finished in the money on eight occasions. He has shown potential in his exercises and it is worth keeping a close eye on him here.