The English page - Another smart prospect for Andreas Wöhler

After the excitements of the Grosse Woche at Baden-Baden the previous week, it was clear that racing in Germany last weekend would be at a much lower level. And so it proved; there was racing at five tracks, but Düsseldorf on Sunday had easily the best card and also the only black type event.

Düsseldorf had three races for 2yo´s, unusual for Germany, a maiden race, a BBAG sales race and the listed Junioren-Preis over a mile a race with a distinguished history which has been won in the past by many stars of German racing, Lando and Lomitas, to name just two. The BBAG sales race had easily the best prize-money and was won by Postman (Soldier Hollow), bred by the Matusche family and a 28,000 euros yearling. He is trained by Markus Klug, also the trainer of the maiden winner, Gestüt Röttgen´s homebred Aspirant (Protectionist).

However the Junioren-Rennen was clearly the race of the day and was won in good style by De La Soul (Sea The Moon), trained by Andreas Wöhler, who ran on strongly to defeat British raider Crackovia (Cracksman)by three parts of a length in a good time. This was undoubtedly good form and we shall probably see plenty more of De La Soul in the future. However the reaction of some bookmakers to make him early favourite for the 2023 German Derby is surely slightly exaggerated.

This was only his second run after finishing third of nine, also at Düsseldorf, a month ago on his debut (decent form ) and it is quite possible that he will not run again this year. Wöhler has already made it clear that he sees De La Soul as a three-year-old and hopes to start off his classic season in Munich´ s Bavarian Classic over ten furlongs. He was bred by Czech breeder Barbara Holubova, and is the first foal out of Delegation (Mount Nelson). Delegation was trained for most of her career by Jürgen Albrecht, then based in the Czech Republic; she won four races, but all at a fairly modest level, and various attempts in listed and group races brought nothing. However she could certainly stay and won over 2400 metres, and with one of the best ever German Derby winners as his sire, De La Soul can be expected to stay as well.

De la Soul runs in the colours of Stall Triple A, which seems to consist of three men whose names all start with the letter A. Jürgen Albrecht, an old friend of the trainer´s, is one of them, so is trainer Andreas Wöhler, and the third is believed to be Andre Gauch, Jürgen Albrecht´s nephew. The handicapper has provisionally put De La Soul on GAG 90½ (=international 101), pretty high for a German juvenile at this time of year. Wöhler already trains the highest-rated German 2yo of all, Habana (Kingman), and so far it seems that he, Markus Klug and Peter Schiergen, hold most of the aces in this division, but there is plenty of time for that to change and there is certainly no need to bet on next season´s classics as yet.

This season´s classics end on Sunday with the 138th Deutsches St. Leger at Dortmund. To be honest, this cannot compare in stature with the English and Irish versions, both run last Sunday, or the French Prix Royal Oak, not due for another five weeks, all of which are valuable Group One events. This is a Group Three race and worth only 40,000 euros to the winner. However it is still a very interesting event with international competition.

Eleven have been declared, including one each from Poland and the U.K. The Polish runner Hipop de Loire (American Post) has already won twice in Germany, including a listed race last time at Hoppegarten, but this opposition looks far stronger. But the U.K., challenger looks very intriguing, as he does not come from one of the usual suspects but from a leading N.H. stable which very rarely has starters in Germany. This is Nigel Twiston-Davies, who trains near Cheltenham, and his runner Earlofthecotswolds (Axxos) is an extremely versatile performer. His career so far spans 32 races, of which we has won eleven and been placed another ten times. His victories include one over fences, five over hurdles, two N.H. flat races and three races on the flat (all on the all-weather). He has also been placed in some hot staying handicaps on turf and clearly should not be underestimated. If the weather forecast is correct, conditions at Dortmund should be quite similar to those at Cheltenham in January, which should be right up his street.

There is not much between the locals here, although trainer Peter Schiergen certainly holds a strong hand with the consistent Nerium (Camelot), the highest-rated runner, and Tünnes (Giuliani), owned by Holfer Rebz, who won the 2021 edition. Tünnes, a half-brother to Torquator Tasso, was a top 2yo last year and would have been favourite for this year´s German Derby had it not been for various setbacks. However he made his belated comeback recently, winning in effortless style, and looks the best of the German-trained runners.

This race is supported by another BBAG sales race, this time for 2yo fillies over 1400 metres, and a listed race for fillies and mare overv2020 metres. Both these races look too close to call, but we have a slight fancy for Taiora (Tai Chi) in the former event for the in-form Wöhler stable and for French raider Chaussons Roses (New Approach) in the latter.

Next week we get back to Group One action with Cologne´s Preis von Europa which at the moment looks like having a very strong field. We live in hope and will discuss this race in more depth next week.

David Conolly-Smith