3 minute read
La Capelle – 18th July 2021.
| Date | Sunday 18 July |
| Venue | La Capelle |
| Race | R1 - Prix d'Aubenton (2700m) |
| Type | Driven for three-year-old colts and geldings only |
| Winner | Isofou du Chêne |
| Driver | Anthony Duperche |
| Trainer | Julien Le Mer |
| Breeding | Un Charme Fou x Alisa Du Chene |
| Second | Instructor |
| Third | Indydarche |
Isofou Du Chene continued his progression on Sunday at La Capelle when catching the eye recording a first career success.
When the arms of the mobile retracted, the pace looked strong with Instructor (eventually finishing second) leading. Isofou du Chêne was well positioned throughout adopting fourth place, two wide as they took the lake bend. Over twenty lengths covered the group passing the stands for the first time. However, the group did bunch up when the pace dropped with a lap to go, where driver Anthony Duperche crept closer into second position before pressing on to take the lead and stretch clear by three lengths.
Instructor and Isofou du Chêne continued to exchange the lead along the far side, but the winner was in a perfect position with 800m to travel, second on the inside. The tempo continued to decrease which meant many more had chances in the closing stages.
Isofou du Chêne used the final turn as a slingshot to power clear from rivals though still needed luck. Anthony Duperche decided to make the big move to move three wide with the three-year-old showing a game attitude to gradually make up ground for a narrow victory.
The manner with which he crossed the winning line did catch the eye seemingly having more left in the tank. He recorded a kilometre rating of 1'16''0 winning a qualifying race for the LeTROT Open des Régions - Grand Nord - 3 ans.
Sire Un Charme Fou was consistent in his sixty-seven-start career with his son the Julien Le Mer colt showing having shown promise on debut only five weeks ago at Le Croisé-Laroche when second (with the form subsequently working out well) before a fair fifth at Laval at the start of this month.
Getting off the mark after only his third career outing there is potential and looks one to note going forward. With more maturity and size left to develop and grow, plenty of progress is likely and bigger targets could be set. Paris however may have to wait until the winter.
