Paris (AFP)
Channel, Sottsass, Waldgeist ... the galloping cracks will make their comeback on Sunday at the ParisLongchamp racecourse, in the Prix Foy, Niel or Vermeille, two weeks before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Prix Foy will kick off the last preparatory races for the World Gallop Championship, which will be held on Sunday 6 October at the same racecourse.
It brings together only four thoroughbreds aged 4 years and over at a distance of 2,400 meters, including Waldgeist, a resident of André Fabre who is none other than the title holder. This 5-year-old son of Galileo remains in 3rd place in Ascot, England on July 27th in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Fourth in the last Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he announces himself as the horse to beat. It will oppose mainly Way to Paris dependent on the training of the Italian installed in Chantilly (Oise) Andrea Marcialis.
As for the first steps on the French soil of the Japanese horse Kiseki, they will be followed with attention, the Japanese professionals have still not managed to win the Arc, despite their multiple attempts. The Japanese goldsmith won the Foy Prize two years in a row in 2013 and 2014 before finishing 2nd in the same years in the Arc.
The Prix Vermeille, carrying the Group 1 label, the highest level of competition, run on the course of 2,400 meters will see the best thoroughbred fillies of 3 years to compete, including Channel mounted by Pierre-Charles Boudot who won the last Prix de Diane at Chantilly (Oise).
"Channel is in good shape, it's the first time it's going to run that distance in a high-flying lot and we're keeping our confidence," coach Francis-Henry Graffard told AFP. She will try to confirm while Grand Glory, third of Diane, will try to block her road.
French mare Trève is the last to win the Prix Vermeille in 2015 before winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe two years in a row (2015-2016).
On this same course, it will be the turn of the three year old males to fight in the Prix Niel. The last winner of the Jockey Club Award, Sottsass will be the favorite under the saddle of the Italian Cristian Demuro.
"Sottsass did not have a bad time in his preparation, everything went normally, he was allowed to decompress all the month of June, he resumed training normally in July and then accelerated his preparation in August. and especially these last two weeks, "explained Jean-Claude Rouget who watches over the physical preparation of his champion in Deauville (Calvados).
it / aluminum / shu
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