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Tuesday 9th March 2010, Enghien. Konig Air Line (Konig Shuffle) was victorious on his racecourse debut in the €50,000 Prix d’Essai des Poulains Hurdle (3yo Males – 3,100m). Ridden by Jean Luc Beaunez, Herve Billot’s gelding beat Guy Cherel’s Prince Park (Prince Kirk), favourite on his first start, by 5 lengths with the more experienced El Milagro (Leadership) back in third. Konig Air Line sat on the heels of the race leader Totti (Roli Abi) up until the last bend before kicking on to take the lead, after which he was never seriously threatened by any of his rivals. He was an outsider in the race at the price of 36/1. “He has been jumping since last March, so he was well prepared for this race,” announced winning trainer Herve Billot. “I expect him to handle Auteuil just as well as Enghien.”
Twenty seven lengths behind the first three was the much anticipated Division Alpha (Dubai Destination) running in the colours of Pegasus Farms. Guy Cherel’s Calco (Califet) was a faller at only the second hurdle on his hurdling debut.
Konig Air Line is out of Kiriaki (Rick Me), unsuccessful in 11 attempts on the flat, and is her first produce to see a racecourse.
Baroud III – Saphira Mans impressive as ever
The result of the €50,000 Prix des Barouds III Chase (AQPS - 4&5yos – 3,500m) was clear a long way from the finish. Coming round the final bend the five horses left in the running were already in their finishing order. The impressive Saphira Mans (AQ - Fragrant Mix) led the race in its entirety before striding out to beat Mahe (AC – Goldneyev)by four lengths, with Salon de Provence (AQ – Antarctique) a further six lengths back in third. “All of my team have put in a lot of hard work which paid off this afternoon,” said winning trainer Jean-Luc Pelletan. “She is capable of anything this mare; I really like her a lot. I have no idea whatsoever of where she will run next.”
Saphira Mans does indeed seem very versatile, this four year old mare has finished second four times on the grass on the flat, won over 2,400m on fibresand and was successful on her only hurdling attempt on her last start in January at Pau. Her dam Friska du Moulin (SF - Royal Charter) was also a winner over fences and on the flat. She has produced two previous winners, Quissisia Mans and Nidea du Moulin, both by Video Rock.
Essai de Poulains II – Dolatulo one to watch
Dolatulo (Le Fou) followed up his previous success on the flat, at Seiches sur le Loir on February 21st, with a win on his hurdling debut in the €50,000 Prix d’Essai des Poulains Hurdle (3yo Males – 3,100m). The mount of David Cottin he was straight to the head of affairs and led the race from start to finish fighting off strong attacks from Clegan (Martaline), second by 6 lengths, and first time out Grandouet (Al Namix), eventual third. The first three home were the three favourites in the betting before the race. “He is a very nice horse”, said winning jockey David Cottin, “I think that this division was stronger than the previous one.”
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