Encino tipped to win the feature event

The Adhirajsingh-trained four-year-old Encino, who narrowly failed to collar Ultimo when he last raced on this track, is expected to go one better now as he cuts back to a six-furlong sprint, the Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million (Gr 3), the feature event of Saturday's eight-race card. However, since the trip of six furlongs also suits best to his two main rivals--Social Butterfly and Shambala (a winner this season, who now also gets a positive jockey switch), Trevor Patel, Encino's rider, will have to reserve his best for the final furlong.

 

First race at 1.30 pm.

Selections:

 

Azzurro Plate (Class II; 1200m)

Challenge Accepted 1, Liban 2, Manor House 3.

 

JE Hughes Trophy (Class I; 1600m)

Sovereign King 1, Mojito 2, Chagall 3.

 

Evaldo Plate (Class III;1600m)

Spanish Eyes 1, Mansa Musa 2, Seneca 3.

 

Star Trainer Plate (Class III;1000m)

Gunfire 1, Darcy 2, Admirable 3.

 

Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million - Gr 3 (For 4y&o; 1200m)

Encino 1, Social Butterfly 2, Shambala 3.

 

Idar Gold Trophy (For 4y&o; 2400m)

Fynbos 1, Kings Gambit 2, Dream Alliance 3.

 

Fourth Estate Trophy (Class IV;1400m)

Starseed 1, Funny Bunny 2, Esteban 3.

 

Capitulate Plate (For 4y&o, Class V; 2000m)

Whisper 1, Ma Cherie 2, Mai Tai 3.

 

Recommendations

Best bet: Fynbos (6-2)

Upsets: Don Julio (3-5), Eastern Monarch (4-5) & Rock Armour (7-6)

​

Courtesy: mid-day