Italian action heats up

This weekend trotting action peaks at Roma Capannelle with the Derby Italiano and Oaks on October 13. The harness racing lineups follow for the 800,800€ Derby and 253,000€ Oaks. Alessandro Gocciadoro trains four Derby entrants and has four in the Oaks.

On October 12 at Capannelle will be the Asta Anact Sale.113 lots listed with many offspring of top sires locally and internationally – 12 by Axl Rose, 10 by Victor Gio, nine by Ringostarr Treb and also foals of Readly Express, Muscle Mass, Donato Hanover, Calgary Games, Maharajah, Green Manalishi, Southwind Frank and Googoo Gaagaa.

Recent classics in Italy were at Siracusa over their 1400 meter track.

The Premio Criterium d’Italia Male (purse 30,030€, 1600 meters autostart, seven two year olds) went to 1.14.6kr timed and 3.9/1 odds Golimpio d’Or (2m Dontyouforgetit-Ulena Grif- Varenne) with Mario Minopoli Jr. aboard.

The winner recorded his fourth career victory. Grullo Clan (2m Trolley-Visciola Spin) was second on the pegs at 37.8/1 with Gaspar Lo Verde driving. The 1.4/1 odds favorite Giolitti Grif (2m Wishing Stone-Ryder Cup Bi) was third for Pietro Gubellini.

In the featured Gran Premio Del G7 (purse 154,000€, 1600 meters autostart) the 3.48/1 odds Banderas Bi (7m Ganymede-Ida Grandi-Toss Out) scored comfortably in a quick 1.09.7kr with Antonio Velotti at the lines as the winner now has 13 career wins and over 650,000€ earned.

Callisto (6m Nad Al Sheba-Medley d’Italia) took second money at 24/1 for reinsman Vincenzo Luongo and 4/1 Akela Pal Ferm (8f Maharajah-Remilla di Palle) captured third for driver Antonio Di Nardo. Dali Prav (5f Donato Hanover) and Bleff Dipa (7m Mister JP) were fourth and fifth.

In the Premio Criterium d’Italia-Female (purse 30,030€, 1600 meters autostart) the 1.14.0kr timed winner was 1.96/1 odds Guenda SM (2f Cokstile-Albaz-Ganymede) handled by Vincenzo Luongo.

She was a two length winner while Gigia DA (2f Ginger Up-Rhianna Grif) was second at 66/1 odds for Gaspar Lo Verde and 5.5/1 Gioia Mia Col (2f Timone EK-Vittoria OP was home third.

Gaet, Siracusa, Capannelle, Asta Anact files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink