J-1 THE VOCALCOM DUCHESS OF YORK CUP

FIRST CLASSIC OF THE SEASON

Here we go !  The first classic of the season marks the start of a fabulous, long awaited 2017 adventure.  It is said that, when The Duchess of York Cup is run in the first meeting, it favours the horse who has the plentiest of stamina, not the medals !  Let the show begin!

On Tuesday 21st, during training the following horses attracted attention : Ready to Attack, Belong to Me and Hard Day's Night. Belong To Me showed stamina and provided spectators of his amazing abilities without seemingly... little effort!  To follow ...

Robert Khati on the back of Lividus, a good-looking Grey, will make his debut tomorrow... 

Good Luck Robert !

The South African Brandon Lerena is back in Gilbert Rousset's Team. 

Welcome Back Brandon !

The Australian Steven Arnold, the new riding whip of the Gujadhur Trainer impressed...

Keep it up Steven !

A DAY AT THE CHAMP DE MARS, IN STYLE

The Crown Lodge : a set of Premium Services that has a unique perspective on the Champ de Mars. It is located on the VIP balcony and is next door to the box of the President of the Mauritius Turf Club. The strategic locacion allows a magnificient view on the finish line and the 'paddock'...  We take care of EVERYTHING !  Hotel transfers, open bar from start to finish, assistance by a professional team and needless to say, they are horseracing lovers, betting facilities, interaction  with local trainers, well you name it.    'Cerise sur le gateau', you are also covered by insurance !

A RELAXING SPOT WHICH GRADUALLY COMES TO LIFE UNTIL THE ATMOSPHERE BECOMES ELECTRIC !

You said electric atmosphere ?

TRIP ADVISOR : CROWN LODGE WON THE 2016 

EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATE

Jacques is very proud to display the Excellence Certifcate he obtained from Trip Advisor last year.  A certificate he and his team deserve.  118 guests rated his services as Excellent and 18 as Very Good. A few of the comments in the reviews : 

'We attended the Maiden Cup in Sep 2016 - Jacques and team were so hospitable and great fun, and the Mauritius track experience was electric! So much more fun than any UK meet...'

I am not a horse racing person at all but, as I have observed in the past, I love to attend the atmospheric and ancient race track in the heart of Mauritius. My pleasure has been considerably enhanced over the past couple of years with a place in the Crown Lodge Box , hosted by the inimitable Jacques Ritter. The hospitality was all enveloping and the company of the enthusiastic racegoers from around the globe was enervating. One dark cloud on my personal horizon was watching a horse in the Ladies race, stumble and break a leg. It was the first ( and I hope last ) time I have witnessed such a tragedy with the young jockey weeping as the horse was humanely put down. I was angry until a veterinary surgeon, also a guest in the box, explained the complexities of a horse with a broken leg to me. It helped me understand but I still admit that this 72 year old world worn journalist who was present at Hillsborough, Heysel and the Munich Olympics shed a quiet tear or two. But I would recommend the Crown Lounge if you are visiting Mauritius and attend the races, especially for the International Jockey' Weekend the first weekend in December - whether you like horse racing or not.

WHO WILL SET TONGUES WAGGING ? CLINTON OR TRUMP ?

NEITHER ONE!

THE DUO 'CHOSEN DASH'  AND 'THE TRIPSTER' MIGHT!

THE MAIN CONTEST

The ABC Group Australia Cup, 6th race, proudly launched by the Australian High Commission, will be run at 15H25 on Saturday 12th November 2016 and seven horses are entered to compete : Chosen Dash, The Tripster, Soweto Slew, Kings Knight, Zhan Hu, Azapel, Janbamman.  MTC says that it is going to be a duel between Chosen Dash and The Tripster!  At the time the race will be run, Australia will be some 7 or 8 hours ahead of Mauritius but for sure the Mauritian diaspora will be watching! Cheers for Mauritius and Australia !

SOME NEWS FROM THE TRAINING SESSION THIS FRIDAY

More than 60 horses were on the sand track this morning of which 15 from Floréal.  The Mauritius Turf Club is of the opinion that this is a signal that the next five meetings promise to be interesting.  The following horses impressed : Paladin, Caracal, Chap Trap, Five Star Rock, Scotsnog, In Your Dreams, Strum, The Deacon, Power to Please...

FLASH BACK ON SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

Everybody has his little corner at the Crown Lodge!

It can be a Family time !

or just special moments for those who love horses, unforgettable pictures...

it can of course be your day with your friends !

SOME TIPS FROM MTC

1st Race : Punters King with a close watch on Gris Cheval, Tobeastar, Mr Oshkosh

2nd : All Magic but watch out : It's My Party, Laughistheanswer, Data Controller

3rd : Dawn Raid, however Viento Magico, Emaar and Rebel's Game are to be watched

4th : Racing For Fun and keep an eye too on Burg, Fernand The Bull, National Approval

5th : Argun should make it but watch out : Bandido Caballero, Unbridled Joy, Seven Fountains

The Main Contest : the 6th race : watch the show 

7th : Tornado Man will try a pillar to post; his main opponent is expected to be Mount Fuji, Avail is worth a thought and Eagle Award should not be far away

8th : Burwaaz is the preferred one but Social Network, Brave Leader and Red China should be watched.

SOME TIPS FROM US

In the Main Race, The Tripster is the favourite but with a good pace, Jambamman can be a big threat.  First Race : First time runner in Mauritius, Punters King, looks too good but second run after rest syndrome, could be a factor to consider.  Mr Oshkosh and Tobeastar should be watched too.  2nd Race : All Magic with its first draw could sign his second win in Mauritius.  Beware of It's My Party and Data Controller, the latter could be a threat if it secures a good position despite its 10th draw...

The Crown Lodge thanks you for your support and wish you a pleasant and enjoyable day wish us at the Champ de Mars for this 33rd meeting.  Enjoy the races and Enjoy your Day most of all !!!

NO SHADES OF GREY ASSURED THIS SATURDAY !

The Mauritius Union Group Colonel Draper Cup

Following the running of race 3, the stewards took evidence from riders, trainers and the Track Manager.  It was established that due to heavy downpour following the running of race 1, the track had become unsafe.  As such for safety reasons, acting under the provisions of MTC Rule 12 (f), the stewards after consultation with the administrative stewards, cancelled the remaining races of Saturday 8th October...  False rails will be placed today on Saturday 15th October...

Not cool !

For the security of the jockeys and the horses, the 28th meeting had to close after the 3rd race... see for yourself

Can you see the mud?

'Partie Remise' !

The rain came in as a 'trouble fête' last Saturday but the Gambling Regulatory Authority (G.R.A.) has informed the Mauritius Turf Club that it has acceded to his request to hold 9 races during the 29th meeting, i.e this Saturday 15th October, 2016. With this additional race, the meeting will start at 12H20.

Come on, let's start the party !

Such a great day at the Crown Lodge !

What does the Mauritius Turf Club say about the training sessions?

Polar Palace seems to be in great shape and Beach in a Bottle was wearing blinkers, a tongue tie and a nose band.
Captain's Cronicle, Rebel's Game and Roventas worked fast and their companion, Parachute Man did not go unnoticed.
Karraar is said to be in great shape too...

A FEW TIPS FROM US 

In the main race,i.e. the 6th one, Charles Leytton will be a hard nut to crack as it drew the first draw...Top Jet with its light weight is a very good placing bet for a very good finish...Super Glue is a normal favourite with its 3rd draw.  Mr Leyend should be in the trifecta if it does not hand in the straight.  In the last race, Data Controller should be watched as well as Billy Bojangles who worked well during track works.

A little bit of history

The Champ de Mars racecourse is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere...and the 2nd oldest in the world.  Founded by Britain's Colonel Draper, under the aegis of the Mauritius Turf Club, the track first held its races in June 1812.

Some pics of our guests last Saturday 

All Chic and Gorgeous

See them all on our face book page : www.facebook.com/113756747656/photos

What did they say ?

Last Saturday 

Merethe Due Hansen : Thanks for a lovely day, we had lots of fun - rain or no rain !

Mike Scofield : Pity about the rain, but a really good day regardless !

Other Saturdays

Fabulous day out!  Would recommend it to anyone holidaying in Mauritius!  We were looked after so well by the whole team who fed and watered us all day - nothing was too much trouble!! Thank you everyone !

Fantastic day out !  Great food and drink, great company, would definitely recommend a day at the races whilst in Mauritius.

Superb experience!  Absolutely loved it ! Jacques and the staff are wonderful hosts !  So friendly and welcoming.  Met some lovely people.  A day out not to be missed.

Excellent day Jack Lad, a few more winners would have been great but the beer and champagne was flowing ... so !  who cares ? !  A recommended day out in Mauritius for sure.