€52,000 Luthier Polytrack Challenge (L): Siam Paragon rushes to the lead

Sunday, 3rd December 2023, Deauville Racecourse (Calvados). - The €52,000 Prix Luthier (Listed) is the 2nd leg of the "Speed" section of the new Polytrack Challenge sponsored by Martin Collins. It was run a month after the 1st leg, the Prix Irish River (Listed), won by Fast Raaj (Iffraaj) over 7 furlongs. Fast Raaj, the favourite, had to settle for fifth place this time. He couldn't catch up with the leaders after hanging back and making his move on the outside.

The British raider Mount Athos (Dark Angel) led the race and nearly clinched victory. However, along the rail behind him from the word go, Siam Paragon (Shalaa) managed to edge ahead at the last moment. The two left Breizh Eagle (Bow Creek) almost a length behind in third. Breizh Eagle had finished in the same position a month earlier, two lengths behind Siam Paragon, who now takes the solo lead in the challenge. To ensure winning the 30,000€ 'Speed' challenge prize alone, Siam Paragon must finish first or second in the final challenge race, the Prix Saônois (Listed), over one Mile on 11th February on the Cagnes-sur-Mer Polytrack.

Bred in Sarthe by Mohammed Almahmoud, Siam Paragon was purchased for 12,000€ at the October sales in Deauville by MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghgracht). He races for Claire Stephenson and is trained by Georges Doleuze. He has won three of his four starts on synthetic surfaces, all at Deauville, where he is trained.