SECOND AND FOURTH IN THE OPENING CLASSICS

Colosseo ran a massive race in the Emirates Poule D’Essai Des Poulains, finishing second to St Mark’s Basilica. It was my first time riding the horse, but he had gone close in the Listed Prix Machado on his second start of the season over the same course and distance, so I had been very hopeful of a big run.  In the event, he went so well that I thought I was going to win a quarter of a mile out.  However, the winner produced an impressive turn of foot and was comfortably on top at the line.  Still, it was a super run from Gianluca Bietolini’s colt and he is clearly very talented.

Sweet Lady also ran a very big race in finishing fourth in the Emirates Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches.  I was able to get a similarly good position on her as I had with Colosseo and she ran an excellent race in defeat.  She is a very game filly and I think there is a chance she could have gone even closer on softer ground.  She will stay further and she holds an entry in the Prix de Diane.

THIRD QUINTE SUCCESS OF THE WEEK!

It has been a really successful week and I was delighted to record another Quinte winner, this time  at ParisLongchamp with Skalleto for Fabrice Vermeulen.  It was his first try at the trip and it certainly helped to get a good draw and a nice position through the race.  Everything fell right for him and thankfully we lasted home!

Having won two Quintes already this season on Stephane Wattel’s The Good Man, it was fantastic that he ran such a big race to finish second on his first start at Pattern level, in the Group 3 Prix D’Hedouville.  It was a brilliant run and he quickened really well when asked, but the class of the winner In Swoop told.  Still, it was a very big effort.

BEATEN BY A POTENTIAL STAR?

I was really pleased with Fabrice Chappet’s Bavaria Express‘s run in the Group 3 Prix Texanita at Chantilly.  It was just her third career start and a big step up from winning a maiden, albeit she had done so very impressively at Fontainebleau.  I feel there is plenty of progress to come from her, but all the same it was hard not to be impressed by the performance of the winner, Suesa.  She is now 4-4 in her career to date and it is no surprise to hear that she may be targeted at Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup, as she already looks a very high-class filly.