The Grand Prix du Bourbonnais was run yesterday at Vincennes, the first three home each earned a start in next month's G1 Prix de Amerique. Bold Eagle went in as an odds on chance but could only finish second. Bird Parker followed him into the race and proved too good. 16. Bird Parker. Blue and yellow. 17. Bold Eagle. Red, black, yellow.
Highland Reel, having his final race, and ridden by Ryan Moore, went into the US$1.9 million G1 Hong Kong Vase as a slight favourite over Kiseki. HR has been a wonderful animal, any stable would be proud to have one as good as him.
In another US $1.9 million, G1 event, the final leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, Mr Stunning went to the post as the 1-10 favourite. Lucky Bubbles was next in betting.
The G1, US$2.5 million Hong Kong Mile also featured on the day. Season's Bloom started a 6-4 favourite. Beauty Only, Helene Paragon and Beauty Generation were the others under 10-1.
The G1, US$2.8 million Hong Kong Cup saw only two wanted in betting. Werther at 5-4 and Time Warp at 3-1.
Sometimes really heartwarming things happen in life. Today in New Zealand a lady called Trudy Thornton rode a brilliant race to take out the G1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic. Trudy gave a masterful display aboard Authentic Paddy. She sent her mount to the front and dictated the pace to suit herself. Her professionalism with the whip in the straight was a delight to see. And what's so amazing about a lady winning a G1 event? Well in this case, it's age. Trudy is 54 years young.
On the same program, there was a great win by Countess Vanessa in the G2 Eight Carat Classic, an event for 3yo Fillies. In the straight she was held up more times than a Wells Fargo stagecoach. No 7. Just behind the leader.
A comment from Italian jockey Daniele Porcu, posted on his Facebook account on December 8, after just being diagnosed with cancer: "Thank you very much for the many Sms and Calls but unfortunately I can not respond to all but all my thoughts come to me and this gives me the right energy! Thank you so much! Cancer must be fought with a good mood, even if it is often bad. I will try to the end not to stop smiling." A hug, Your Dani. He also stated. "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have." Sadly Dani passed away a couple of days ago aged just 34. Dani Porcu guides Iquitos to victory in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis at Munich on July 30. A lovely ride. The 2 draw, yellow and green.
As the Prix d'Amerique, the be all and end all of European trotting rapidly approaches, Bold Eagle, the winner of the last two renewals, struggles to find full form. A week a go he faced defeat for the third time in his last six runs. Starting odds on in the Prix de Bourgogne, the best he could do was chase home Swedish champion Propulsion who's driver took advantage of the slower pace and quickly sent Propulsion to the front. He then ran them off their legs. Bold Eagle still ran a mighty race though. He was forced to come via the cape on the home turn, and despite this, made a heap of ground down the running. Bold Eagle is in the red, black arm bands and yellow cap.
Yesterday, the duel G1 winner Dragon du Fresne returned to the track at Vincennes in the G2 Prix Leon Tacquet. It's amounted event for five year olds. A force to be feared in the future me thinks. The commentator gives me the irrits though. Dragon du Fresne is in the yellow and dark colour and on the outside.
Premiere takes out the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy at Hong Kong yesterday. After winning at his fourth, fifth and sixth starts, he want sour for the rest of the 16/17 season, filling a place just once in six attempts. He's turned things around big time this season with four starts and four victories. He's drawn the rail. Orange and black.
I wonder if Coolmore can buy a Pegasus World Cup win? At Keeneland's November Breeding Stock sales, Coolmore and partners forked out $6,000,000 for the Curlin mare Stellar Wind, as a breeding prospect. They've put their nuts together and have decided to take a run at the big one at the end of the month. To date, no female has run in the race. Yesterday she went 5 furlongs in 1:01:5 on the inside. Connections were very happy. http://www.xbtv.com/video/recent/st...n-101-50-at-palm-meadows-on-january-7th-2018/
Eight time G1 winner Bilibilli made a one act affair of the G2 Prix du Calvados, and in the process, staked a large claim to the World Mounted Championship in a couple of weeks time. He comes across from the extreme outside.
Today on the Gold Coast, the $2,500,000 Magic Millions took place. The rider of the leader had strips torn from him. Stewards were furious and outed him for a month and the trainer was livid. The jockey had the well fancied runner, thunder through the first 600m in 33 seconds. It's no wonder he felt the pinch at the end.
Eagle Way wins the 9 furlong G3 January Cup at Happy Valley. He's drawn 3 from the outside, and is in the red and black. No 1.
