The English page - Quiet days

With the passing of the Hamburg Derby meeting, last weekend in Germany was very quiet though we did have one interesting race the Diana Trial (Oaks trial) in Mulheim an der Ruhr last Sunday. The Listed fillies race over 2000m (1m 2f) attracted eight runners with Lady Mary from Andreas Suborics yard being sent off the 6/4 favorite for the contest. On paper it had looked a good opportunity for the Lawman daughter but having being ridden with restraint this time she picked up pretty well down the straight but could never get to the always in the first two racing Diya. A well bred Dubawi filly, Diya travelled nicely throughout for Rene Piechulek to give Munich trainer Sarah Steinberg and the Gestut Brummerhof a nice win. The winner came into the race a once raced maiden, having finished second of seven in a Berlin maiden but she done this very professionally to be considered for the Group 1 Henkel Preis der Diana the first week in August. The filly to take out of the race was the good finishing second placed Princess Valentino (Soldier Hollow) who got within a lenght of the winner and was finishing fastest of all. Its just adds a little doubt about the form as this 6 times raced filly is not one you would have forecasted as an Oaks winner before the race, though she is well bred and closely related to Derby winner Pastorius. The French filly Soft Winds (Night of Thunder) stayed on for fourth. 

To continue the good form of Sarah Steinbergs Munich stable , her gallant 8 year old warrior Quest the Moon (Sea the Moon) took the Group 3 Grand Prix de Vichy under stable jockey Rene Piechulek, Carrying the colour of the Stall Salzburg, he ran out a convincing winner from Travalgar Square and Une Perle . It was the second time the combination of owner and trainer have won the event in Vichy as they teamed up successfully with Night Wish in 2016 , that time it was the trainers first ever group winner . 

 

Looking forward to this week and its the call for Bad Harzburg. A Typical country track which is a little unique in Germany see's a festival of racing over the next eight days with the features the Super Handicaps which throw out some good prize money for moderate horses. 

Berlin Hoppegarten is without doubt the best program and includes the Group III Furstenberg Rennen over 2400m (1m 4f). Nine go to post including one 3 year old, which is from trainer Peter Schiergen and the syndicate Liberty Racing the Zoffany son Argentum and he has been supplemented for this . Its a close race to call and I would favour with Tunnes and Mr Hollywood but would have to be wary of faster ground now. The 2022 Derby winner Sammarco could get involved as should Best of Lips who has won at this level in Milan, the Premio Ambrosino, already this year. Atoso won the Group 3 Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg at the Derby meeting but his best form is also on soft to heavy. Waldadler comes back in trip from 2 miles while Lips Prince and Saludos will be outsiders. This though is a Group 3 which is up for Grabs!

 

Shannon Spratter