3 minute read

G1 Review: Vincennes Winter Meeting Finale.

Vincennes staged the final meeting of the Winter Meeting on Saturday with two Group One races headlining the card.

Granvillaise Bleue maintained her consistent record with an eighth career success on Saturday when narrowly winning the G1 Prix des Centaures (2200m). 

Representing the six-year-old generation (this age group made up nearly half of the field), the mare began at the back of the group, around fifteen lengths off the leader. During the event, there was a strong pace set by Ici C'Est Paris and the field were well stretched out. The winner had only three rivals behind when passing the 1000m marker. However, by the 800m pole, jockey Camille Levesque was beginning to make eye-catching progress on the mare and by the point where the two courses meet, Granvillaise Bleue was third, five lengths off the pace setter. 

The daughter of Jag de Bellouet continued her bold move on the outside and went past the leader turning for home with ease. The favourite came under pressure in the home straight as Hirondelle du Rib (third) produced a late rally, but the Pierre Levesque trained six-year-old had the class to prevail.

Granvillaise Bleue has been in excellent form at the Vincennes Winter Meeting with runner-up efforts in the G1 Prix de Cornulier (2700m) and the G1 Prix de l'Ile-de-France (2175m). She was also successful in the G2 Prix Edmond Henry (2700m) and the G2 Prix Joseph Lafosse (2700m) on Christmas Day. This win represented a first well-deserved Group One mounted triumph.

Idao De Tillard took advantage of the 25m head start to win the final Group One race of the Vincennes Winter Meeting, the G1 Prix de Séléction (2200m), in impressive style.

The strongly supported Idao de Tillard went straight to the lead and set a strong pace, making maximum use of the 25m advantage. The field were mainly in single file at the far turn and winning driver Clement Duvaldestin slowed the pace, passing the 100m marker in a slow time of 1"13"1. 

Idao de Tillard continued to travel strongly as they negotiated the final left-handed turn, but the challengers were beginning to creep closer. Clément Duvaldestin was quick to respond and Idao de Tillard showed quick acceleration inside the final 400m to go four lengths clear. No one else could match the change of pace and the son of Severino looks to be a future star of French trotting. 

Idao de Tillard has produced ten wins from thirteen career runs and has only finished out of the frame once. He has been progressive this season going from success in a Class A autostart in December before winning the G3 Prix de Riberac (2700m) and the G2 Prix Ephrem Houel (2700m). He looks to be the generational leader at this point with the feature four-year-old Classics bring his targets.