The English page - The final "Grand Prix"

Last weekend’s meeting at Berlin-Hoppegarten, their final meet for the 2023 season, including the Group III, Silbernes Pferd, over the 3000 meters stayers’ trip. With heavy rain on the Saturday evening and again on Raceday Sunday, the ground was pretty testing. The rain and the conditions though proved no difficulties for the much improved 4-year-old Lordano (Adlerflug) as the 15/10 favorite ran out an easy 3 ½ lengths winner to stamp himself as probably Germany´s best staying prospect at present. Settled just off the pace, set by Crystal Estrella (Iffraaj), he was asked to go join the leader on entering the straight and for a furlong or so, Andrasch Starke had to get serious with him to get past the pacemaker and Eduardo Pedroza who seemed to relish the underfoot conditions and ran without doubt her best race to date to gain so important black type. Lion's Head (Protectionist) stayed on under Sibylle Vogt for the third spot another 4 ½ lengths behind. The winner running in the colors of Gestüt Ittlingen and trained by Marcel Weiss, is a six times winner now from his eight career starts and looks to be still improving.  

Having finished second here in the Group event, the Andreas Woehler stable had a little better luck down in Rome, Italy. Westminster Night (Morandi) under Rene Piechulek took the Group III Premio Loreto Luciani by 1 ¼ lengths for the stable winning from Mangiafuoco and Pirouz (Counterattack) from Waldemar Hickst stable with the other German runner Best Lightning (Sidestep) finishing fourth.  On the same card Norge (Dylan Thomas) ran a big race to finish second in the Group II Premio Lydia Tesio going down 1 ¼ lengths to the Italian trained La Gite (Sioux Nation). The French trained Calmly (Dubawi) finished third.  

Petit Marin (Flamingo Fantasy) for owner Dirk von Mitzlaff and trainer Marcel Weiss looked all over the winner for most of the straight but got collared in the last strides by the Italian Flag's up (War Command) in the Group II Premio Roma. The Thore Hammer Hansen ridden German representative was beaten a head at the post with Angels Trumpet (Dark Angel) 2 ½ length away in third. With three listed races and a Group II contest on this week’s Sunday card in Rome, there will be enough German trainers making the trip again to Italy.  

Here on the homefront, Munich hosts the last Group I of the European season with the Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern. Although only six runners will go to post it has attracted runners from England and France. The well known in Germany, Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) will represent the Godolphin operation of trainer Charly Appleby. Having won the Preis von Europa Group I and the Grosser Preis von Berlin Group I in 2022, he will be sent off favorite here under English Jockey Danny Tudhope. Junko (Intello) will represent Andre Fabre and France and will be the mount of Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. This will be one of the last big rides for his this year retained stable before heading to Japan for the winter and back to Germany for the 2024 season. The two good fillies, India (Adlerflug) and Kolossal (Outstrip) are there for the German team with the former looking now better having won the Group I, Preis von Europa last start with winning jockey Rene Piechulek remaining her partner. The field is completed by the consistent and tough older horses Assistent (Thore Hammer Hansen) and the mud loving Best of Lips (Andrasch Starke).  

With the small field, tactics could now play a big part, especially with the possibility of very soft ground in Munich and this 2400 meter event should prove an intriguing race. The eight-race card also features the 52.000 Euro added BBAG Auctions race for 2-year-olds over 1600 meters (1 mile).  

Shannon Spratter