The barrier draw for the Phoenix Maiden Cup, the most prestigious event of our racing calendar, a 2300m Group1 race, took place at Le Suffren Hotel on Wednesday. The atmosphere likened to a Far West one.
All the personalities of the racing industry attended. Mr. Hiren
Jankee, President of The Gaming Regulatory Authority, was amongst the guests.
In his speech, The President of The MTC, Mr. William Chung, stated that The Maiden Cup is the very race that every trainer, every jockey and every owner would wish to add to their record of achievement. He has expressed his grateful thanks to The Phoenix Beverages Group for its ongoing support. The Group has been associated with The Maiden Cup for the last three years and has even extended its support in setting up a play ground which is greatly appreciated by all the children.
Mr. Richard Wooding, Chief Executive Officer of The Phoenix Beverages Group said that he has always wished this association with The Maiden Cup. If this wish has come to fruition, it is greatly thanks to the hard work of Mr Gilbert Merven of The Mauritius Turf Club. He added that the atmosphere of The Maiden Cup is exceptional, even if one is not a punter. One cannot but bathe in such an atmosphere.
The grooms, as well a few jockeys, trainers and owners of the fourteen horses entered in that race were involved in the barrier draw.
Here are the results: Hold My Jacket (1), Just Banter (2), Halo Hunter (3), Senor Versace (4), Pick Six (5), Winter Weather (6),Imperial Cossack (7), Captain’s Knock (8),Teamog (9), Saubestre (10), Naughty Prince (11), Solar Symbol (12), Galant Gagnant (13) and Frusk (14).
Even if Frusk has drawn barrier 14, the Irish jockey Robbie Burke said he will give up the ride on Teamog. “I will stick to Frusk. Teamog is a very courageous horse but he will have to carry 9 kg more than on his last outing. I think that it will be wiser to stick to Frusk, who is bound to improve.”
Gujadhur Stable is delighted with the draw of Senor Versace.
“Barrier 5 is not bad at all. Now, every thing will depend on how the race is run,” added the French jockey, Gaëtan Faucon.
Trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur has confirmed that Senor Versace’s stable-mate, Solar Symbol, last year’s winner, has been entrusted to Rye Joorawon.
Rousset Stable too seems to be very happy with the draw. Hold My Jacket, which will be ridden by Nishal Teeha, drew barrier one and Captain’s Knock barrier eight. In fact, after a closer look, Captain’s Knock might well jump from barrier six. According to our sources, Just Banter (2) and Winter Weather (6) might be withdrawn from the race tomorrow morning.
Saubestre, from Vincent Allet Stable, another potential winner, drew barrier ten. Aaron Spiteri, the stable jockey is not too worried because his horse will get back anyway. In that race, the jockey thinks that the horse who can stay the 2300m will win.
Trainer Ricky Maingard has two options: Halo Hunter (4) and Just Banter (2). But again, according to our sources, the trainer is leaning towards the former. Even though he has not performed very well this racing season and that he is a fragile horse, Ricky Maingard still believes that Halo Hunter is a class horse and that he can match motors with the likes of Senor Versace and Captain’s Knock.