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Friday 23rd April 2010, Enghien. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com) The €85,000 Prix du Cher Hurdle (L- 5yo+ -3,800m) was a mere formality for Young Poli (Poliglote) who came home alone once his jockey asked him for an effort asked him. “'I planned my race around Sleeping Blue (Sleeping Car), who was the horse to beat”, explained jockey Ervan Chazelle. “He won easily on good ground, which he has always preferred.” Young Poli already won this Listed race two years ago. “It’s easy with horses like this”, commented winning trainer Robert Collet. “I dream about going to Cheltenham with him because I think that he is the perfect horse for there. This year was a bit too soon but I hope to make the trip next year. I’ve never won a race over there.”
Sleeping Blue, carrying the top-weight of 73 kilos, reassured trainer Jehan Bertran de Balanda : “I wanted to run him today to see how he was despite the fact that he was carrying a lot of weight and that he’d prefer heavier ground. We will know wait for the autumn when he will come back here over hurdles.”
Young Poli was an excellent horse on the flat, notably the winner of the Derby de l'Ouest (L.). He was bought by Robert Collet in July 2008, at the Arqana Horses in Training Sale for €125,000 ( click here for catalogue page ).
Hopper – Two wins for Saphina de Kerser twice in one week
A winner on this track only a week ago, Saphina de Kerser (Al Namix) kept up her run of good form in the €90,000 Prix Hopper Chase (L- 4yos-3,800m) when she dominated the strong finishing Président José (Slickly) and Ningaloo (Majorien). “She is very good”, confided Jérôme Zuliani, jockey of the winner. “She didn’t jump very well today, as she was quite tense which is no doubt due to her race last week and is not too serious. It’s a good sign for the future.”
Saphina de Kerser only had her first run last July and showed her talent when finishing third in the Général de Saint-Didier (Gr3), over hurdles here at Enghien. Friday’s race was only her second start over fences.
Saphina de Kerser is the best product to date of his dam, Magie de Janser (Highest Honor), a sister of Zingaro, third in the Prix de Condé (Gr3).
Menton – Nikit’as dominates rivals
After having led the field alongside Fadéla (Great Pretender), Nikit'as (Robin des Prés) dominated the finish of the €46,000 Prix de Menton Hurdle (3yo Fillies-3,300m), although Princesse Néra (Prince Kirk), who was much further down the field finished well to take second place. Nikit'as just keeps on progressing. Pulled up on her debut at Auteuil, she then took a promising third place on this same track. “She jumped off badly on her debut and didn’t understand what we were asking her to do; then when she ran here at Enghien she was a bit too keen,” announced in form jockey Ervan Chazelle.
Nikit'as was bred by the Van Haaren family. Her dam, Nikibanna (Take Risks) also bred the useful New Bridge (Lost World), a winner over hurdles at Enghien at the end of last year.
Cevennes – Grandouet gets first win on the board
Grandouet (Al Namix) opened his record with ease in the €46,000 Prix des Cévennes Hurdle (3yo Males-3,300m). Guillaume Macaire’s representative was quickly to the head of affairs before kicking clear on the last bend. Sivola Gambler (Discover d'Auteuil), tried in vain to go with the leader and manage to keep second place in front of Roc d'Anjou (Sunshack). “Today was his day”, explained Guillaume Macaire, “The firmer ground suited him better today than on his last few runs. He is on the way up and is a true Enghien horse so the rest of his career will be here.”
Guillaume Macaire knows the family of Grandouet well as he trained a sister of his dam, Virginia Desir (Discover d'Auteuil), a four time winner from five starts over jumps (notably the Prix Duc d'Alburquerque at Auteuil).
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