3 minute read
Weekly Round-Up of French Racing and Trotting - 4th January 2022.
Vincennes and Pau both held Black Type action in the past week with the former staging another key trial race ahead of the French Trotting Triple Crown...
| Date | Thursday 30 December 2021 |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | R6 – G3 Prix de Château Chinon (2700m) |
| Type | Driven walk up for three-year-olds only |
| Winner | Calypso Di Poggio |
| Jockey/Driver | Adrien Lamy |
| Trainer | Eric Hansen Bondo |
| Breeding | Ready Cash x Princess America |
| Second | Collier (second past the post but then DQ) |
| Third | Dusktodawn Boogie |
| Calypso Di Poggio was the eventual winner of a dramatic race when first past the post, Collier was regulated and disqualified. However, the Eric Hansen Bondo trained filly has been showing plenty of ability with this being her fifth career success. The daughter of Ready Cash is open to further improvement in France with some strong Italian form to draw upon. A name to keep in mind. | |
| Date | Saturday 1 January 2022 |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | R5 – G3 Prix Yvonnick Bodin (2700m) |
| Type | Mounted walk up for five- to eleven-year-olds |
| Winner | Florida Sport |
| Jockey/Driver | Mlle Loanne Fauchon |
| Trainer | Charles-Antoine Mary |
| Breeding | Tornado Bello x Victoria Sport |
| Second | Eveil du Châtelet |
| Third | Chalimar de Guez |
| Florida Sport showed a great attitude in the home straight to prevail. The seven-year-old mare was keen in the early stages and winning driver, Mlle Loanne Fauchon allowed her to extend away and go ten lengths clear down the back straight. This was an eye-catching winning performance which followed up her success in the G3 Prix Auguste François (2175m) two weeks previous. | |
| Date | Sunday 2 January 2022 |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | R4 – G2 Prix d'Amérique Races Q5 (Prix de Bourgogne) (2100m) |
| Type | Driven autostart for four- to eleven-year-olds |
| Winner | Cokstile |
| Jockey/Driver | Gabriele Gelormini |
| Trainer | Eric Hansen Bondo |
| Breeding | Quite Easy x Joystile |
| Second | Vivid Wise As |
| Third | Billie de Montfort |
| Nine-year-old, Cokstile landed the biggest race of the past week when gaining qualification for the French trotting Triple Crown races (Grand Prix d'Amérique, Grand Prix de France and Grand Prix de Paris) in style. There was plenty of drama with many disqualifications early and this speed test catching some high-profile names out. With 1000m to go, the winner was well positioned on the inside, a length and a half off the pace setting leader Vivid Wise As who ultimately ran second. The pace was strong throughout and many had chances turning for home. Vivid Wise As still had the advantage inside the final 200m but the beatifically timed challenge from Gabriele Gelormini allowed Cokstile to draw alongside and accelerate clear in the final strides to prove a decisive winner. Vivid Wise As and Billie de Montfort also qualified for the three Group One events later at the Winter Meeting. | |
Jumping
| Date | Monday 3 January 2022 |
| Venue | Pau (Heavy) |
| Race | R1 – Listed Prix Bernard de Dufau Chase (2700m) |
| Type | Chase for five-year-olds and above |
| Winner | Spanish One |
| Jockey/Driver | Geoffrey Ré |
| Trainer | Philippe & Camille Peltier |
| Breeding | Spanish Moon x Anyone for Tennis |
| Second | Ferronnière |
| Third | Fret d'Estruval |
| Spanish One jumped with enthusiasm to land the feature at Pau on Monday when handed the lead after Hitech took a heavy fall (seemingly getting up ok and galloping away from the fence). Winning jockey, Geoffrey Ré maintained a calm ride on the eight year who picked up nicely in the home straight. | |