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Splendid on paper, the Critérium des 3 Ans was on the track with a magnificent final packaging dominated by the filly Idylle Speed, driven by Jean-Michel Bazire, trained by François-Pierre Bossuet and for the colors of Franck Morineau.
The time is exceptional: 1’12”2 for a 3-year-old filly, it is simply a new record of the race, four tenths better than the previous record of Timoko in 2010.
This mileage reduction therefore testifies to a very high-level competition, long led by Izoard Védaquais, relayed for a moment by Unforgettable before regaining the lead up to twenty meters from the post, moment when Idylle Speed appeared in the middle of the track, long discreet.
But propelled by Jean-Michel Bazire, we could no longer see that she was halfway down the straight and the Carat Williams’ daughter came to adjust the great animator on the finish line while Idéal Ligneries finished third.
This is the first victory in a Group I for François-Pierre Bossuet: “I have trouble realizing… She is still lymphatic, and she knew how to go to the end. She’s always done exceptional stuff.”
It was only the tenth race of Idylle Speed, raised by Michel Triguel and acquired on the ring of Osarus Trot for the sum of €25,000.
His driver is under the spell:” Hats off to François-Pierre Bossuet because the preparation was complicated and thank you to Franck (Morineau – the owner) for trusting me. She has a big heart.”
If the trainer and the owner shine for the first time at this level of competition, Jean-Michel Bazire enters his name in the list of Group I for the fourth time.
To watch the race replay, click here.
From LeTrot.com
Always EK Wins Gr. III Prix Oscar Collard
Always EK (5m Filipp Roc-Nike EK) took the evenings featured Prix Oscar Collard (Gr.III, purse 80,000€, 2100 meters autostart for 4-5 year olds). Timed in 1.10.7kr this Eric Raffin teamed Italian invader is trained by Alessandro Gocciadoro for Scuderia Effebi and now has four wins in France and 284,034€ in life earnings.
He was off at 8/1 odds and defeated 1.7/1 favorite Armour As (5m Varenne-Southwind As) with trainer Jean Michel Bazire up for Ecurie Villani Orandi. Third was Tabasco CD (5m Wishing Stone) for trainer/driver Bjorn Goop.
In the Prix Michel Thoury (purse 67,000€, 2100 meters autostart, European 6-10 year olds) a great group of 16 veterans competed with the 3.3/1 odds Marcello Winn (6g Raja Mirchi-Astoria Amour) a neck winner for Eric Raffin timed in 1.11kr. Vincent Martens trains this one for Ecurie Black and White. This was his seventh victory in FR now for 364,000€ earned.
The 4.3/1 Tjacko Zaz (9g Crazed-Kinoras Zaz) was second for trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire and Kings Arms/Avesta AB after a third-tier trip. 5.7/1 Equinoxe (7m Texas Charm) took third for J.M. Monclin.
Back on December 15th the Gr. III Prix Auguste Francois (monte, purse 90,000€, 2175 meters, European 6-10 year olds) went to 1.10.4kr timed and 5.7/1 odds Florida Sport (6f Tornado Bello-Victoria Sport) with Mathieu Mottier in the irons for trainer/owner C,A. Mary. This was her eighth career victory now for 361,790€ earned.
The 4.9/1 Diamant de Treabat (8g Kuadro Wild) was second for jockey Fabian Glence and owner/trainer Pascal Monthule. Freeman de Houelle (6m Vigove) was third for Eric Raffin, the 7/10 favorite trained by Franck Leblanc.
LeTrot files/photos
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink
