The English page - Quiet weekend

Plenty of racing last weekend in Germany and it kicked off with the After-Work Evening 10 race programme on Friday in Hannover. Almost 4.500 spectators enjoyed the family atmosphere on the racecourse with the main event being the Großer Preis von Meravis, a listed race over the stayer distance of 3000 meters for 3-year-old and upwards. Two non-runners left a field of 8 go to post and it was nice to see a Swiss representative making the long journey. Actually Valcava (Amaron) for trainer Claudia Erni was sent off the 2/1 favorite for the prize. Valcava sat up prominently in second place behind Saccary (Nathaniel) in a truly run race. The jockeys were happy to accept their positions throughout the race till entering the long straight in Hannover where the come from behind horses changed the race quickly as the leaders dropped away.

Nastaria (Outstrip) a 4-year-old filly from owner trainer Anna Schleusner-Fruhriep burst to the front under jockey Miguel Lopez and galloped relentlessly to the line to win by an easy 3 ½ lengths from Niagaro (Adlerflug) and Diamantis (Golden Horn) ½ length behind in third. Nastaria had shown some nice form at three but looks to have improved again this year and has established herself in the stayer’s division in Germany. It was nice to see a good prize go to one of the lesser although successful stables in Germany and they have big hopes for their stable star with a run in the Irish St. Leger on the agenda.

Saturday saw Dresden in the East have the highlight with their Großer Bwin Sommerpreis, a listed race for 3-year-old and upwards over 7 furlongs. 19 runners, almost one third of the total starters on the day came from the neighboring land the Czech Republic and they had an enjoyable day going home with 3 winners from the 7 races including the main event where Czech horses finished first and second. Jir Sun (Shamardal), having finished 2nd in a listed event in Hannover last time behind Muhalif, made amends here coming home ¾ length to good from his compatriot Worth Choice (Worthadd) with the German pair Flotte Lotte (Starspangledbanner) and Waldeza (Lord of England) in third and fourth. A nice winner for trainer Lubos Urbanek who is certainly not afraid to travel his horses and jockey Martin Laube.

Something unique also on Sunday were the races on the beach in Cuxhaven. It’s the first time I have watched it, although I have seen Laytown in Ireland on the beach with Dad. Dad says Cuxhaven is like the original Laytown 40 years ago. It is truly a one off. The 11-race programme, a mixture of gallop and trotting races attracted a huge crowd of holiday makers to the event.

Sunday was very interesting with the BBAG Daina Trial in Mulheim, a listed race for 3-year-old fillies over 2000 meters and a last chance to book a place in the German Oaks. This time a 12 strong field went to post with Nasella (Anodin) from France being sent off the 3/1 favorite, Dalvida (Lord of England), Global Queen (Adlerflug) and Extrabunt (Lord of England) were all strongly fancied. From the boxes, Turfbeauty and Laguna Beach (Zarak) started best to the first bend but on entering the back straight the principles in the market had found their places up behind the leader Laguna Beach. Middle of the back straight Laguna Beach led from Extrabunt, Kammuri Diamond, Dalvida and Nasella. Nothing had changed as they turned for home as Laguna Beach quickened again and caught most of her rivals in trouble with the exception of Extrabunt. A good battle between the two up front incurred but Extrabunt was just too strong in the last furlong to come home ¾ length in front of Laguna Beach with Nasella 3 ¾ lengths away in third. Dalvida led the rest of the field who never got involved. Extrabunt who has not got an Oaks entry was a nice winner for her owner Hans Bierkämper and trainer Yasmin Almenräder on her home track. Adrie de Vries rode the winner and went on to complete a four timer on the day.

One horse that was missing from this field was Quantanamera (Lope de Vega) scratched at the 11th hour with a preference to run on the same day in the Group III Darley Prix Chloe over 1800 meters in Chantilly. Having raced up with the pace she dropped away very tamely on entering the straight to finish a disappointing last of 8 runners under stable Jockey Martin Seidl. It was her second run after an injury break. Trainer Andreas Suborics subsequently said, the filly came back with an infection, and it was not her true form.

Looking forward to the weekend

Saturday sees the start of the historical Bad Harzburg race week. Since 1880 they have raced here and the five racing days, over an eight-day period, is a mixture of flat and jump racing including the Seejagdrennen, a steeplechase where the runners go through a lake in front of the stands to add to the entertainment. Bad Harzburg is also famous for its undulations unlike all other tracks in Germany which tend to be relatively flat and often horses that have previous track form tend to do well. Big crowds will be expected at the track in this Spa town in central Germany as there is always plenty to keep people entertained in the area.

Berlin-Hoppegarten stages the Group III, Furstenberg Rennen for 3-year-olds and upwards over the 2400m trip on Sunday. There are ten entries with this year’s Polish Derby winner Westminster Moon (Sea the Moon) having been supplemented, also India (Adlerflug) from the Waldemar Hickst stable got the go ahead. India is a massive boost for the race and the Berlin track and would surely be the horse to beat. The 4-time group III winning filly has without doubt the best form in the race. Catch the Stars (Zelzal) and Quality Road (Areion) will represent the 3-year-olds.

Shannon Spratter