The English page - Surprise in Hannover

Surely but surely is the Grass season in Germany on its last leg but the weekend in Hannover which apart from racing itself included an “Experts Day” to give an insight into racing and a chance to discuss various topics around our sport.

The racing then on Sunday, Hannover on its final day for the year 2023, presented a ten-race programme with the highlight the Group III fillies race over 2200 meters (1m3f) for 3-year-olds and older. The result was a little bit of a surprise as the 3 year old Reliable Man daughter North Reliance galloped to a comfortable 2 length victory over this year’s Italian oaks runner up View Zabeel (Saxon Warrior) who in turn had ½ length to spare over hot favorite and German Oaks winner Muskoka (Sea the Moon). North Reliance had finished 8th in the German Oaks but had also been a good 3rd behind Darkaniya in a Group II in Baden-Baden last start. It was a nice winner for Thore Hammer Hansen who has settled now back in his native homeplace after his apprenticeship in England. The winner is trained by Marcel Weiss for owner Michael Wachowitz.

The supporting card contained two black type events for 2-year-olds – The Alson Trophy, a listed 2-year-old fillies contest over 1400 meters (7f), went this way of Waldfrieda (Blue Point) from Andreas Wöhler stables. The Gestuet Bruemmerhof owned winner proved too strong for Royal Night (Acclamation) and came home 3 ¼ lengths in front. The Roettgener Waria (Areion) kept the rest at bay for the third spot.

The second listed event was landed by the once raced Geminiano (Wootton Bassett). Running in the colors of Stiftung Gestuet Fahrhof and under talented young jockey Leon Wolff, who missed a lot of this season through injury, this colt won comfortably, 2 ¼ lengths in front of favorite Argentum (Zoffany) with Witcher of Lips (Decorated Knight) back in third.

Germiniano´s win would be the start of a big pay day for his trainer Waldemar Hickst as down in Italy his runners would collect the Group II Premio Gran Criterium and the listed Premio Campobello. The Group II Premio Gran Criterium for 2-year-olds with a 247.500€ added value went to Wintertraum (Lord of England) and he beat the other German runner Borna (Saxon Warrior) and Melfi (Kessaar). Wintertraum running for Stall Lucky Owner is now 2 wins from 2 starts and established himself as a big prospect for next year.

The Hickst good day continued with Augustus and this 2-year-old son of Soldier Hollow landed the listed Premio Campobello over 1800 meters (1m 1f) from the experienced Diomede (Arcano) and Master (Territories). This winner like Wintertraum is also owned by Stall Lucky Owner and both the winners were ridden by Martin Seidl. The Group II Premio Dormello for 2-year-old fillies saw a good run from the Gestuet Karlshof homebred Havana Grey daughter Three Havanas but she had to give way to the unbeaten winner Folgaria (Due Diligence). Folgaria has now won 5 on the bounce. Tomiko (Footstepsinthesand) followed them home in third.

This weekend’s racing takes place in Cologne and Berlin Hoppegarten with the latter hosting the main event, the Group III Silbernes Pferd on Sunday. The contest over 3000 meters (1m 7f) for 3-year-olds and olders has attracted 9 entries with the very promising stayer Lordano (Adlerflug) looking to make it four wins from his last five starts. The Gestuet Ittlingen owned, and Marcel Weiss trained will be partnered this time by Andrasch Starke. His biggest danger could actually come from the polish representative Hipop de Loire (American Post) who has been running consistently well in these stayer races.

Bauyrzhan Murzabayev will partner the Protectionist son Lion´s Head for trainer Yasmin Almenraeder and we will be seeing much more of the ex-champion next year in Germany as after his one season French contract with Andre Fabre, he will be returning as Stable Jockey for Peter Schiergen in 2024.

Shannon Spratter