Wednesday 28th April 2010, Maisons-Laffitte. Carlos Laffon-Parias previously announced the high hopes inspired by Silver Pond (Act One), after his success in the Prix Juigné. The grey colt confirmed these expectations in winning the €34,000 Prix Comrade (3yo Males-2,100m) by three quarters of a lengths from the experienced Maroon Machine (Muhtathir), who led the race. “He didn’t win by far but I like the way he won”, explained the trainer. “His jockey only pushed him out with his arms, and we know that when the ground is fast here at Maisons the front runners have the advantage. My horse had to come down the outside and then fought off all attacks. I haven’t decided yet whether he will run in the Jockey-Club. I will have to talk to his owner, see how he comes and of this race and how he works on the racecourse.”
Carlos Laffon-Parias also trained the winner’s dam, Silver Fame (Quest for Fame), a winner at Saint-Cloud. She previously produced Silver Point (Commands), second in the Prix de Suresnes (L.) in 2006.

Kizil Kourgan – Never Forget gives a reminder

The field of fillies in the €34,000 Prix Kizil Kourgan (3yo Fillies-2,100m) was of a lower class than that of the colts’ version but the winner, Never Forget (Westerner) won with ease nonetheless. Claude Cohen’s filly was the first to make her move and kept going right to the line to beat Bridge of Peace (Anabaa). “She didn’t run that badly on her debut,” explained Elie Lellouche, trainer of Never Forget. “She just needed the run. She didn’t beat much but she won well.” Never Forget was bred by Claude Cohen and Elie Lellouche. Topira (Pistolet Bleu), the dam of Never Forget, was also trained by Elie Lellouche and won notably the Prix de l'Elevage. She has also produced Souçpon (Enrique) and She Hates Me (Hawk Wing).

Epinard – South Western 2 year olds must be eating their spinach!

With already seven 2 year old winners under his belt since the start of the year, Didier Guillemin added an eighth success to the list thanks to Chinese Wall (Aussie Rules), winner of the €24,000 Prix Epinard (2yos-1,000m Straight), who beat Broox (Xaar), on the line. Maiguri (Panis), who is also trained in the South West of France, took third place. “My filly showed herself to be courageous in beating Broox”, explained Thierry Jarnet. “Didier Guillemin had told me that he thought that she had a little bit in hand over the others. Like all the 2 year olds of this trainer she is very well trained and it is a real pleasure to ride horses like her.”
Chinese Wall runs in the colours of the Marquessa de Moratalla, who also bred her. Her dam, Ganar al Cielo (Ashkalani), was also trained by Didier Guillemin when she won first time out as a 3 year old. Chinese Wall is her first produce and she also has a yearling by Footstepinthesand.