9 March 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Main feature of the meeting Saturday at Auteuil, the Prix Duc d'Anjou 4yo Chase (Gr3) saw Goliath du Berlais (Saint des Saints) won pretty handily after a prominent ride. Trained by Guillaume Macaire, he led home Royal Et Tic (Policy Maker), beaten by three lengths. His Nemesis of last season, Polirico (Cokoriko) had unseated his rider at the Stands River. The winner's stable mate Thrilling (Network), back from a successful Listed chase at Pau, couldn't keep up with the winner in the final turn and finally had to oblige in 4th behind a progressive La Barakas (Davidoff).
These rising stars will meet again over 4,400 metres rather than 3,900 on March 31st in the Prix Fleuret 4yo Chasde (Gr3), at Auteuil.
Goliath du Berlais is bred by Jean-Marc Lucas. He's owned by Haras d'Etreham -he hasn't been gelded and his sire is based in that stud, near Bayeux in Normandy-, Stéphane Szwarc and Palmyr Racing, Guillaume Macaire's stable.
Dual Prix La Haye Jousselin (Gr1) winner Bipolaire (Fragrant Mix) was also coming back on Saturday over the Prix Hubert d'Aillières (L) hrudles. He's had to hold off a vindicative Le Mans (Le Fou) to win first time out in 2019. Owned by Jacques Détré, Edward Walsh, François Seigneur and Thierry Cyprès, the grey AQPS is trained by François Nicolle. His stablemate Srelighonn (Martaline) had also won last time out at Auteul when he scored in the Prix Georges Courtois Chasde (Gr2), but he had to settle for fifth place this time just behind Plumeur (Great Pretender). Always spotted in the leading groupe, Darling des Bordes (Balko) went on to finish third, only three and a half lengths behind Le Mans.
Ekalda de Kerser (Voix du Nord) had never run at Auteuil before her tilt at the Prix Jean-Claude Evain Chase but the 5yo mare, the youngest in the race, did not seem to bother at all. The favourite Bon Augure (My Risk ) finished well in second, even though he finished twelve lengths behind the winner, who is trained by Patrice Quinton, also his co-owner with Écurie des Dunes. Ekalda de Kerser was bred in Gironde by Kirsten Drevet and SCEA Martini. Very consistent wherever she goes, she was winning her fifth race on Saturday, and her fourth chase.