Voltigeur de Myrt Wins Grand Prix Ajou Maine

September 30, 2015 – Gabriel Gelormini reined the Roberto Donati owned and trained Voltigeur de Myrt (6m Opus Viervil-Myrtille des Bois) to victory at 3.3/1 odds in the €100,000 purse International Grand Prix Anjou Maine over 2875 meters distance handicap.

The winner, clocked in 1.13.2kr, took charge on a backstretch of the last lap and easily recorded his 10^th career win in 55 starts for earnings now of €1,086,082.

He overcame a 25 meter handicap as did second finishing Roxanne Griff (10f Tenor de Baune-Julia Mesloise) handled by Eric Raffin for Sebastien Guarato and Ecurie Griff, at 5.2/1 odds. The grand mare raced well and now has earnings in excess of €3.04 million in 120 starts. Third today was secured by 15/1 Nefertite del Rio (8f Varenne-Zendia) with Alexandre Abrivard up. Nahar was fourth for Robert Berg with late rally with Up The Green and Roi du Lupin next across the line. The latter two contested for the lead at various points during the race.

The Gr. I Prix d’Avenches Championnat European for 3 year-olds (purse €100,000, 2050 meters autostart, 13 starters) was down to 11 at the gate with the scratch of Captain Sparrow and Chatearoux. Also, highly-regarded Traders, Germany’s Ferrari Kievitshof and Ultimate Photo were disqualified for miscues. That opened the door to victory for 4.4/1 odds Coquin Bebe (3m Rancho Gede-Noble Nenette) driven by J-M Bazire for trainer Franck Leblanc and owner Annie Bezir. Second was 2.2/1 favorite Cristal Money (3m Coktail Jet-Making Money) for reinsman Franck Nivard and trainer Thierry Duvaldestin. Cash Okay (3m Ready Cash-Tresokay) was third at 87/1 for G-V Gundersen and trainer A-L Wolden with fourth to 51/1 Photo Lavec (3m SJ’s Photo-Joyful Lavec) reined by Per Oleg Midtfjeld for trainer Bo Westergaard. Canari Match (3m Extreme Aunou-Ruelle) ended fifth at 32/1 for Franck Ouvrie and trainer Frederic Prat. Time for the winner was 1.13.1kr for a four-length score.

Today’s Quinte+ (jackpot €4,050,000) was at Laval in the Prix Yann Despres (€32,000 purse, 18 starters, 2875 meters) and 9.1/1 Trinite du Mont scored in 1.15.1kr for Anthony Barrier for owner/trainer Philippe Deroyand. The winner is an eight year-old daughter of Hugo Barbes-Ozo du Mont. The exact order Q+ payoff (excluding jackpot) was €7,990) for a €2 wager.

Thomas H. Hicks