MERANO. Amfipaline’s success the day before in the Italian Steeple Chase Prize immediately seemed prophetic. The Macaire-Lageneste team had the right horses for the Maia weekend this year. And the triumph in solitude of Speed Emile nell’85th Merano Alto Adige Grand Prix came as a logical confirmation, in front of over 12 thousand spectators, a record.
Baptiste LecLerc was again excellent in the saddle and the choice of subject – a small, agile horse, ideal for Maia – by the excellent trainer was perfect. Guillaume Macaire brings his Grand Prix successes to 6; Speed Emile succeeds Tempo d’Or, Chrecheur d’Or, Rigoureux twice and Le Costaud for Macaire in the roll of honour.
On the other hand The Foreshorewith a place of honor of enormous courage, confirmed himself at the age of 11 as an incomparable racing legend for the three Josef, Aichner, Vana Jr and Bartos. And Preetty King. Third brings Greg Wroblewski closer again, after the placing of Ocean Life, to his lifelong dream.
The other great hero of the day is Mauritiusspectacular graduate of the Gran Corsa Siepi in revenge on his rival Natam, and, with the French beaten here (third place for Gino des Dunes) the confirmation of the truly “historic” stature of Josef Aichner’s grey, a marvel in the presentation of Josef Vana Jr , and perfect in the riding of Josef Bartos.
The French, on the other hand, scored again in the other groups 1, the youth ones: for Davide Satalia, a double Flying Chase in the 4 Year Steeplechase, ahead of Afar King, the success achieved by 3 in the Gran Criterium d’Autunno-Trofeo Hotel Aurora, the whose 2024 edition rewards the quality of the Lafayette female, for David Cottin and the important “signature” Pegasus, largely predominant on a valid Mr Mistoffelees.
On the flat, domination over the 3000 meters of the Kurt Goldegg Prize is widely expected, almost “telephoned” a few weeks ago following his excellent return. Zorzi Trophy, of the most exquisitely “cross-country skier” in the field, Iskanderhon, already successful in 2022, after a remarkable French career at maximum distances, here at the finish line with width all in the hands of the good Angelo Crocichia for the Cescon-Pugnotti team who had him purchased with the Goldegg in the sights. In any case, the place of honor of the 3 year old Su Crastu Biancu, the other “pure cross-country skier” of the field, was excellent. Twin Secret and Samantha Gotti score a surprise in the riders’ event. And the signature of Riccardo Belluco with Kashgar in the test dedicated to the Merano winery.
2024-10-03 13:29:39