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Weekly Review of French Racing.
With only one Jump and one Flat feature, Trotting was centre stage this past week in the world of French racing with the Winter Festival at Vincennes in full swing.
Trotting
Last Thursday's meeting at Vincennes included two black type events.
The first of these saw the favourite, Hallix oblige in the G3 Mounted Prix Urgent (2700m) for three-year-olds where the Guillaume Gillot contender had to switch to the outside on the final turn. Eric Raffin's mount powered away in style and is a name to remember with it being his first attempt at Group 3 level. Hallix runs under the colours of his breeder, L'Ecurie Cheffreville (The emblematic jacket, yellow and black, with cross of Lorraine, from the Levesque-Folleville family).
The barefoot Dynasty Peji sprung a surprise in the G2 International Mounted Prix Paul Buquet (2850m) for six to ten-year olds. Driver and trainer Damien Bonne steered the seven-year-old to the front on the inside and was an easy winner. Rating a 1'13''5, he set his new personal record for the distance, despite it being a track that was not favourable to speed.
The same Paris Track conducted four feature events on Saturday.
The G2 International Mounted Prix Joseph Lafosse (2700m) for five-year olds was a fantastic renewal with plenty of depth. Feeling Cash set the pace down the back straight but could not make all. Fado du Chêne generated significant headway in the final 600m to overtake on the inside of Eric Raffin's runner in the final 100m and deliver a narrow success. By running a 1'12''5, Fado Du Chene set a new record in the G2 contest.
Two well supported five-year olds sandwiched an outsider in the G2 European Prix Doynel de Saint-Quentin (2850m) for five-year olds as the barefoot Fakir Du Lorault held on from the fast-finishing Rebella Matters. Trained by Mickaël Charuel, this gave the son of Vaillant Cash a first G2 success.
The G3 Prix Vourasie (2200m) for two-year-old fillies is a key trial leading to the three-year-old Group One in February. Italienne cornered well to maintain a clear lead and showed a great attitude for trainer Philippe Allaire and driver David Thomain.
The Allaire and Thomain combination then achieved a quick-fire double when Italiano Vero raced prominently to land the G3 Prix Ourasi (2200m) for two-year-colts. Philippe Allaire who took this highlight for the seventh time indicated the horse had plenty of ability but a lot to learn.
Twenty-four hours later, Vincennes hosted a unique meeting. Nicknamed the 'Provinces come to the City', this programme is made up of Regional Finals.
It should be noted the Finale du Grand National des Amateurs (Prix Fernand Lafourcade) (2850m) went the way of Copsi who provided a big race success to driver Anna Karlsson.
The first Black Type contest on the card was the G3 Open des Régions - 3 Ans (2850m). Hatchet Man set the pace and showed a good increase in gear to fend off the late challenge of Handy Bourbon. David Thomain and Philippe Allaire appeared unstoppable!
Thirty-five minutes after Jean-Michel Bazire made his way to the winner's enclosure in the G3 Open des Régions - 4 Ans (2850m). The barefoot Ganay de Banville had to go wide on the final turn but stretched away in style. This horse is bred from multidisciplinary champion Jasmin de Flore and looks a name to keep in mind.
With twenty Golden Sulky's to his name, Jean-Michel Bazire gained a quick-fire double as trainer and driver when steering home Elie De Beaufour to glory in the feature of the day – The G2 Finale du Grand National du Trot (Prix Maurice de Folleville) (2850m) for five-to-ten-year olds who have been qualifying in a series of heats throughout the year at a range of courses. Bazire, settled the six-year-old towards back but made gradual headway down the back straight.
Four horses wide with 1000m to go, it looked an open race. There came a burst of energy from this son Royal Dream rocketing him to the lead on the final bend. He raced clear in the final 100m to gain a twentieth career success. Be One des Thirons finished second ahead of stablemate to the winner, Crusoé d'Anama.
Eric Raffin secured a win in the G3 Open des Régions - 5 Ans (2850m) when Favori de l'Iton looked the most impressive performer for the afternoon. It was an easy and convincing success for trainer Hughes Levesque.
The G2 Mounted Prix Philippe du Rozier (2175m) for four-year olds was the highlight on Monday's card at Vincennes. Gladys Des Plaines raced barefoot and from the front for rider Mathieu Mottier and trainer Gilles Curens. A clear winner.
Flat
Toulouse was the only course to host a flat Black type race the past week. This took place on Sunday. There was a divided opinion on where the best ground was in the Listed Prix Max Sicard - 14e Etape du Défi du Galop (2400m) for three-year olds and above. The winner, Good Question came stand side and was pushed out for a narrow win where the first eight were covered by only four lengths. Carrying a weight penalty as winner of both Listed races this season and the Défi du Galop last year, Good Question had to score to keep his title.
Jumps
On Thursday, Auteuil hosted held their final meeting of 2020. The jumping highlight was the Listed Prix François de Poncins Hurdle (3600m) for four-year olds. Becquarainbow looked impressive when hitting top gear down the home straight to race clear for a notable success. The son of Tin Horse kept up his great form this year for jockey Angelo Zuliani and trainer François Nicolle.