International Racing

Good Standing wins the Hong Kong Macau Trophy over the 1400m at Sha Tin. He's now set to be launched into Group racing. He's likely to take on a 1600m G3 early next month. He'd have to be a chance. He's in the replay below. Black and red.

https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/a...d-zac-purton-race-away-hong-kong-macau-trophy

 

War of Will wins the Preakness. From the inside stall. Watch stall 9 for the fall. It appears that the handler had the horse.

 

Today the unbeaten filly Loves Only You took out the G1 Yushun Himba (Oaks) over the 2400m. She stopped the clock 2:22.8 and was ridden by the Italian hoop Mirco Demuro. She comes from the 13 stall and is in black, green band and orange cap.

 

The G1 Elitloppet, one of the premier trotting races on the European calendar was run and won by the French raider Dijon. The odds on favourite, Aubrio du Gers was most unlucky. Winners are grinners though. His pilot Romain Derieux drove Dijon straight to the front and made all. The champ Aubrion du Gers had to drag back and come wide late. In winning his fourth G1, Dijon in winning the Elitoppet, became just the second French horse in 40 years to win the race.

Dijon No 5.
Aubrion de Gers No 1.

 

Very very calm drive at the finish by Dijon's driver. Didn't panic and got the maximum out of his gutsy trotter. Thanks, Cyc, a real mess of a track surface wasn't it?

 

The Grand Steeplechase de Paris day at Auteuil was, as usual, outstanding. Three Grade 1 races and pretty good supporting card for Euros 8 (OAP) with free race card and other goodies is great value. Food and drink again very reasonably priced; I love it!

Also helps when you leave the track a few (?) Euros in profit!

 

Remember this Kenny? Carriacou and Davy Russell.

Passing the post the first time, they're 4th last and on the inside. Light blue, brown hoops & dark blue cap.

 

Just about; had two winners earlier on in a Listed race and a Handicap so by the time of the big race my memory was fading. Imagine Russell not being on any of the Mullins mass entry in the great race! My choice did a 'collapso' fairly early in the race so I was quite pleased with the result as Herr Russell seems, let us say, to be quite the character.

Pretty sure that apart from the 'Arc' and the Prix de Diane this is the best supported 'Galop' event in the French racing year.

I will probably miss next year's 'Grand Steep' as I am considering a return to Mittenwald/Munchen in April or May. My injury in January this year meant I did not get the full benefit of the mountains and Munich this year. There is a mini-Oktoberfest (Fruhlingsfest) starting in late April so I will give consideration to both.

 

The Willie Mullins trained, Paul Townend ridden mare Benie des Dieux takes out the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteui.

Pink, yellow spots.

 

That was on the Saturday so I was concentrating on FC Bayern winning the Bundesliga! Pretty sure the French horse in second place was a novice hurdler; could be wrong though!

 

Beats me Kenny, I just stick up the replays.

 

A cracking ride from Joel Rosario aboard Sir Winston allowed them to take out the G1 Belmont Stakes. Rosario drove his mount up along he fence then edges wide to find open ground. They came from third last. Black and white.

 

Last weekend's 1600 G1 Yasuda Kinen, a race for fillies and mares. The odds on favourite Almond Eyes went into the race chasing her 6th G1 race but could only finish third behind the 16-1 shot Indy Champ. The winner is No 5 and settles third. Almond Eye is No14 in blue, red, orange cap.

 

The G1 Prix Rene Balliere is one of the premier trotting races in France was run yesterday at Vincenes. The wonderful Bold Eagle went into the race looking to make it 4 wins in a row in the Balliere. The Champion drew the inside gate. Red and black, yellow cap.

https://www.letrot.com/fr/replay-courses/2019-06-23/7500/3

 

There are a couple races each year in Japan that are labeled as "All Star" events. They are races where most of the runners are there on a public vote, with the rest earning a run on monies earned. One of races, the 11 furlong Takarazuka Kinen, a G1 event, was run a week ago.

The connections of the fan favouite, Almond Eye, didn't accept the offer, but the next top three in the ballot, Rey de Oro, Kiseki and Al Ain all started. Makahiki, Suave Richard and Lys Gracieux, all G1 winners also faced the starter.

 

Coral Eclipse.

 

Yesterday the top two trotters in Europe, Bold Eagle and Aubrion du Gers clashed in the G2 Prix René Ballière. They were expected to be too good for the rest of the field, but expectations were quickly shattered. Having eyes only for one another, the two drivers escaped the starting mobile as though hounds of Hades were after them. They set such a hellish pace, that both came unstuck in the run to the post. Trying to secure the front from the start, Aubrion Du Gers jumped fast from an outside gate, but the driver of Bold Eagle would have none of it. He kicked upon the inside, igniting a duel for the lead. The eventual winner, Valko Jenilat sat one out and one back, behind Aubion Du Gers and out stayed the them a punishing run up the home straight.

Valko Jenilat. No 5.

 

Last weekend in the USA, 2018 Eclipse Award winning Champion Older Mare, Sistercharlie made it four G1 races in a row when she won the Diana Stakes for the second time. Starting at just over 9-2, she ran down her stablemate and 8-5 favourite Rushing Fall. No 4 in green.

 

A couple of days ago, the best 3 year olds in North America came together for the richest pacing race in America, the Meadowlands Pace. The race was expected to be a duel between Captain Crunch and Bettors Wish, but both came unstuck after Captain Crunch's driver set a suicidal pace. The drive to the line was brilliant. The race went to No 7, the 27-1 chance Best In Show. (It paid $38.)

 

The Singapore Derby. Lee Freedman had 5 runners and managed to get the first two past the post here. If all five were boxed at a cost of a tenner, (which seemed a fair bet) you could have walked away with a $561.80 profit. Freedman is a 7 time premier trainer in Melbourne and is the reigning Singapore champion trainer, having won the 2018 season.

Sun Marshal. No 9, gold, red star and cap. Drawn 5 from the outside. Has a white blaze.