3 minute read

Vincennes – 12th October 2021.

Date	Tuesday 12 October 2021
Venue	Vincennes
Race	R2 - Prix Phaedra (2175m)
Type	Class A. Driven walk up for two-year-old colts and geldings only
Winner	Just A Gigolo
Driver	Franck Nivard
Trainer	Philippe Allaire
Breeding	Boccador de Simm x Blue Valentine
Second	Japanese Sun
Third	Joyner Sport

 

Just A Gigolo and Joyau de Mortrée swapped the pace setting duties throughout a Class A driven event last week at Vincennes applying unusual tactics of constantly tussling for the lead. However, it was the former who proved strongest and remain unbeaten.

Franck Nivard quickly took the two-year-old to the lead in the opening stages of the race, but it was only a brief spell in front before Alexis Prat on Joyau de Mortrée accelerated on the outside and overtook rounding the first left-handed turn. In a similar amount of time the former negotiated a way round the pace setter and like a car on a motorway, glided back to the lead.

At halfway, stablemate to the winner, Joyner Sport was beginning to make headway whilst the field were covered by six lengths with 800m left to run. Just A Gigolo had maintained his advantage at this stage and appeared to be travelling well.

As the field entered the home straight, many had chances but the son of Boccador de Simm quickened authoritatively and kept rivals at bay scoring by just over half a length to record a kilometre rating of 1'15''4. This was a fair step forward after his effort a month ago at the same Paris track when over 25m further posted a 1'17''2.

He made a winning debut in early September on grass at Alençon before stepping from Grade F to Grade D at Vincennes delivering a second win in as many starts. This victory last week keeps up his perfect, unbeaten record for trainer and owner, Philippe Allaire, who also trained the Group One winning (G1 Prix Albert Viel (2700m) sire Boccador de Simm. This smart two-year-old looks one to keep in mind.