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Weekly Review of French Racing.
Longchamp on Thursday hosted multiple Black Type races.
The G3 Prix des Chênes (1600m) for two-year old colts and geldings attracted a small field. This is the trial race for the G1 Jean-Luc Lagardère (1600m) on Arc day. Midlife Crisis and Mouillage were well-supported following debut victories at Deauville however it was a surprise result when Policy Of Truth handled the step up in class to land this G3 in dominant style.
Next was the filly's version in preparation for the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m), with the running of the Prix d'Aumale G3 (1600m). The two joint favourites filled the top positions with King's Harlequin making all to win cosily. She remains unbeaten at the track.
Roger Varian has been enjoying International success and added another victory with Queen Daenerys in the Listed Prix Joubert (2800m) for fillies. It was a first black type win for the daughter of Frankel.
Gannat came home strongly on the outside of the field in the final 200m to take the Group One prize in the non-pure-bred AQPS feature Prix De Craon (2400m).
On Friday Saint-Cloud hosted the Listed Prix Coronation (1600m) for three-year-old fillies. Queen Of Love made it two from two after a successful debut at Deauville and is an eye-catching name for the future.
It marked another success for top jockey and trainer combination Pierre-Charles Boudot and Andre Fabre.
All eyes were on the Jean-Claude Rouget trained Wally on Friday at Marseille-Borely, bidding for a four timer however it was Amica Nostra rose to the challenge and recorded a first Listed success following a maiden victory at the same track. The day was a memorable one for jockey Antonio Orani who secured a first success in a Black Type race.
On Sunday, Paris-Longchamp staged a marathon card of 10 races. In addition to the three Arc trial contests, there was plenty of other Black Type races on offer.
The G3 Prix Du Petit Couvert (1000m) is the traditional trial race for the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye and it went the way of Air de Valse who made all. The four-year-old filly is having a good summer, placing second in the G3 Prix De Meautry (1200m) at Deauville following a win in the Listed Du Cerle (1000m) at that same venue.
For the Arab bred horses preparing for the G1 Arabian World Cup on Arc day, the G1 Prix Dragon Qatar Cup (2000m) was run over course and distance. The winner of the 2018 G1 Arabian World Cup, Fazza Al Khalediah justified favouritism for a solid victory and brings him in with a good chance for the big event in three weeks.
Multiple Group One winner, Earthlight returned to the winner's enclosure in the G3 Qatar Prix Du Pin (1400m) having travelled extremely well down the home straight to take another Group success. His next start is scheduled to be in the G1 Prix de la Forêt where he is expected to go up against stablemate Pinatubo along with the winner of the past two running's of the race One Master and possibly Saturdays G2 winner at Doncaster (UK) Wichita who defeated One Master narrowly.
Jumping News
Auteuil hosted a quality card on Wednesday which included the Listed Prix Alain et Gilles de Goulaine (3600m) for four-year-olds in handicap company. Gagneur jumped well and fought out the finish with Ayeth with the former just prevailing by a short head. This was a significant grade rise, but the horse appears progressive having won his past three.
The Prix Finot (3600m) was a Listed event for fillies and Obeone made a winning debut in eye catching style ahead of Riviere D'etel. The pair accelerated impressively finishing twenty lengths ahead of the field. Two names for the notebook.
On Thursday at Compiegne, the listed Prix The Stomp – Prix Jim Crow Steeplechase (3800m) saw Roi Mage respond well to jockey Nicolas Gauffenic and win in style. The favourite Edgeoy was unable to pick up and could only manage third. This eight-year-old is a winner and placegetter over the years of Graded races.
Trotting
Apart from Face Time Bourbon and Flamme du Goutier winning the two Group One contests at Vincennes on Saturday, the undercard featured two other group races.
The mounted G2 Prix Cénéri Forcinal (2175m) was won by four-year-old Gospel Pat. In the process he reversed the form with favourite Gladys Des Plaines. This was his second G2 victory after winning the Prix Camille de Wazières in January. An exciting winter campaign awaits.
