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Curtain closes on Vincennes Winter Meeting!
The Prix des Centaures (G1) is one of two Group Ones on Saturday's card at Vincennes. The last mounted Group One of the Vincennes Winter Meeting, the Prix des Centaures is run over 2200m – 500m shorter than the Prix du Cornulier (G1). Although this year's 'Cornulier' winner is not in the line-up, the contest has attracted Prix de l'Isle de France (G1) winner Hanna des Molles, who will be looking to complete a big race double to close off her Vincennes campaign.
Facts for the NotebookFirst run in 1966, the 2023 renewal will be the 57th edition of the raceFour horses have completed the Prix du Cornulier/Prix des Centaures doubleFour-year-olds have a 25m handicap advantage over their older rivalsIn 2022, Granvillaise Bleue set a new race record of 1'10"5
Hanna des Molles is one of the stand-out performers in the race after a 2.25L victory in the Prix de l'Isle de France (G1). She finished third behind Flamme du Goutier in the Prix du Cornulier (G1) in late January and will be looking to stamp her authority against reopposing rivals.
Ideale du Chene is a young, up-coming five-year-old with a very strong recent record. Connections have been shrewd to avoid the majority of the top-level races through the Vincennes Winter Meeting so far and have reaped the benefits with the mare finishing in the top two in all her six starts since October 2022. She won the Prix Jag de Bellouet (G1) in a very comfortable fashion and has since finished runner-up in two Group Twos.
Hirondelle du Rib may not be the best in the contest, but she always runs commendably at the top level. She finished fifth in the Prix de l'Isle de France (G1) before placing second in the Prix du Pontavice de Heussey (G3). Third on that day was Happy and Lucky . Similar comments apply to this six-year-old mare who has generally ran well over the Vincennes Winter Meeting. Her best performance came when finishing second behind Hanna des Molles in the Prix Bilibili (G1).
As a four-year-old, Jessy de Banville will have a 25m advantage over her elders and it would be no surprise if connections have targeted this race with the handicap in mind. She has been kept at Group Two and Group Three level since a win in the Prix de Vincennes (G1) in December, finishing runner-up in both races. Fellow four-year-old Jakartas des Pres lines up. He would need to reverse form with Jessy de Banville after finishing third in the Prix de Vincennes (G1).
Junon, Joyeuse and Ina du Rib cannot be dismissed for a place. Junon and Joyeuse benefit from the 25m advantage and have placed in Group races over the last few months. Ina du Rib was a winner of the Prix Camille Blaisot (G2) ahead of Ideale du Chene which is a key piece of form if she can replicate it.