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Trainer Ricky Maingard and his stable jockey Gaetan Faucon combined to land the most prestigious race in Mauritius, the G1 Phoenix Maiden Cup over 2400m at Champs De Mar on September 2 with the five-year-old Ice Axe.

Ice Axe, unbeaten in four starts on the Indian Ocean island, upset the Ramapatee Gudjadhur-trained Il Saggiatore, ridden by Glen Hatt.

Il Saggiatore, a G2 winner when formerly trained in South Africa by Joey Ramsden, had been beaten at his previous two starts in Mauritius by Ice Axe but was favourted to turn the tables with a 3kg turnaround in the weights.

Hatt holds the record for the most wins in Mauritian racing history and was flown from South Africa for the ride by the Gujadhur family, who own the oldest stable and recently parted company with their previous stable rider, the reigning champion jockey Robbie Burke.

Ice Axe was formerly trained in SA by Charles Laird and won six races for him in 14 starts.

He went into the Maiden Cup on the back of three wins in three starts at Champ De Mar over 1500m, 1850m and 2200m.