16 August 2017
Photo scoopdyga.com
Wonders were expected from Almanzor and Brametot for their come back on Tuesday at Deauville but the British raiders stole the party !
Best European thoroughbred in 2016, Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) delayed his come back this season because of a vicius virus that stroke at the trainer Jean-Claude Rouget's yard in the Spring. A couple of public gallops helped to get the champion back on his feet but that didn't prove enough for him to succeed on his come back on Tuesday in the Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (Gr3). Getting into the last straight for the 1 1/4 mile affair, it soon became obvious that Almanzor wasn't going to strike while English raider First Sitting (Dansili) went away, keeping his best rival Garlingari (Linngari) at bay. The latter had beaten the former last time they met, in June at Chantilly in the Coupe Longines (Gr3), but the order was reversed on August 15th.
45' later in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano Haras du Logis Saint-Germain (Gr2), also on 1 1/4 but with 3yos only, Deauville was given the same scenatio with Eminent (Frankel) raiding the party to score from pillar to post in a very resolute waywhile the French favorites, French Derby winner Brametot (Rajsaman), who'd missed the start once again, and Recoletos (Whipper), 3rd in the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), finished only 5th and 7th respectively without mounting any sort of real challenge.
Also trained in Britain by Jamie Osborne, Pursuing the Dream (Kodiac), still a maiden until then, also defeated the French in the Prix de la Vallée d’Auge-Étalon Kendargent (L), a 2yo fillies race. Only a very good Lady Frankel (Frankel) was able to put an end to British dominance in the Prix de Lieurey (Gr3), as she just pipped Tisbutadream (Dream Ahead) on the post despite a delayed, very late rush...