3 minute read
Weekly Review of French Racing.
With the Winter Meeting in full swing at Vincennes, this week saw the first Group One of the Festival run. Plus, there was multiple all weather black type events to enjoy…
Trotting
Wednesday's programme at Vincennes featured one Group race – The G3 Mounted Prix Auguste François (2175m) for six-to-ten-year olds. The well supported Etonnant managed to fend off rivals who were in close proximity in the home straight to prevail.
On Saturday, Vincennes staged the G3 European Prix Oscar Collard (Prix de Reims) (2100m) for four- and five-year olds. The Anthony Barrier and Philippe Allaire combination teamed up to success as Gallant Way achieved a second Group Three triumph in a row after the G3 Prix Boissy-Saint Léger (2100m) on November 22nd.
The Abrivard family went home happy as they took centre stage when adding their names into the history books in the G1 Critérium des 3 Ans (2700m) for three-year olds. Driver Alexandre Abrivard and trainer Laurent-Claude Abrivard with the progressive filly, Hanna Des Molles for a first G1 win at the second attempt in the top level.
She made her big move in back straight at the halfway stage and then lead the field all the way to the winning post. With Helgafell a late non-runner and Hohneck not travelling well throughout, it was a minor surprise. Havanaise and Hooker Berry filled the placings.
Jean-Michel Bazire drove and trained the barefooted seven-year-old, Dorgos De Guez to land the G3 Prix Jean Dumouch (Prix de Chateaudun) (2850m) for five-to-ten-year olds. Racing in a perfect position on the home turn being second, two-wide, it appeared an easy yet narrow victory. Stalemate, Blé du Gers also made the frame to run a close third by G1 Critérium des 3 Ans winning driver, Alexandre Abrivard.
Flat
UK raider Cepheus gained winning Black Type status on Thursday afternoon on the all-weather at Deauville when powering through in the centre to be a comfortable winner in the Listed Prix Arcangues (2500m) for three years old and above, that had not won a Group Two this year. Despite being held up, he made progress on the final turn and looked a nice prospect for trainer Brian Meehan. This provided Sea The Stars with his 72nd stakes winner as a stallion and a first stakes victory for the dam, Crimson Cheer.
On Saturday, Deauville hosted another all-weather Listed event with the Listed Prix Miss Satamixa - Fonds Européen de l'Elevage (1500m) for fillies and mares three years old and above, not having won a Group race this year. It was Alpen Rose who remained unbeaten in France on her second attempt since leaving Charlie Appleby as she showed a good turn of foot to lead the field home with the sixteen runners spread across the width of the track in a bunch finish. A promising three-year-old for new trainer, Henri-Alex Pantall. Stallion Sea The Stars winning another Stakes race and now has seventy-three.