Saturdays meeting at Tarbes featured a couple of interesting 2-year-old maidens for unraced horses. Both races were won by Jean-Claude Rouget. There is nothing particularly unusual about that. From his base down in Pau, Rouget is no stranger to picking up maiden races in the South of France and he has an excellent record at places like Tarbes, Pau and Cagnes-Sur-Mer as a result. However, given that this meeting at Tarbes wasn't a premium card, the form is not likely to appear on any of the International racing sites and yet both winners are probably worthy of note. I was particularly taken by the winner of the Colts and Geldings maiden, Dumonet. Having watched the replay a couple of times, it seems impossible to believe that he is the eventual winner given that he has the best part of 5-lengths to make up with 100-metres to go. Jean-Bernard Eyquem somehow managed to get him moving forwards and he flew home to get his head in front in the last few strides. There are no published sectional times sadly, but even just a superficial view of the replay is enough to suggest that this horse possesses an extreme turn-of-foot and it will be fascinating to see how this form plays out in the coming weeks. He could be a very exciting colt to follow over the winter.
Here are my notes on both maiden races and a link to the race-card:
Going description: "Souple 3,6"
All races run over 1,500 metres.
Winner | Time | Réduction Km |
Dumonet | 94.10 | 62.73 |
Romance Certaine | 92.00 | 61.33 |
Moonfire | 90.60 | 60.40 |
PRIX DU TOURMALET (C&G Maiden)
Dumonet a winner for Jean-Claude Rouget. He is a Soldier Hollow colt, Dam was very limited 3-race maiden, but the Grand-Dam (Just Little) was a G3 winner over 9-furlongs and has produced 3 Black-type winners. Sat behind the pace set by Uppercut (2nd) and was given a mountain to climb but somehow found the speed to come through the gap and get his head in front on the line.
Uppercut ran a nice race in front and did very little wrong, though it does help to have a prominent position and the rail to help at Tarbes. He kicked with 400-metres to run and was very unlucky. All 3 of his siblings have won a race and being by Zelzal, I would imagine that there are plenty of options for him on the AW in the coming weeks.
Au Soleil (4th) wore a hood on debut for Damien de Watigrant. Traveled nicely into the race but didn’t look an easy ride for Mendizabal and pulled his head away when asked to go past the 3rd placed Perihelio.
PRIX DES PYRENEES (Fillies Maiden)
Romance Certaine another winner for Jean-Claude Rouget. Sat behind the early leader and then quickened up smartly to pull clear with the 2nd in the latter stages. Her dam was Listed placed and is a half-sister to Willie Mullins Daddy Long Legs. One of the more interesting pedigrees on show, she duly delivered on debut, though the strong pace clearly helped to bring the stamina in her pedigree into the equation. (Le Havre x Private Romance (Siyouni)).
Sissy du Groho (2nd) should probably have won. She got the run of the race in front and kicked away off the turn, only to run around under pressure and allow the winner a chance to run her down in the final furlong. The pair were still 4-lengths clear of the rest in a very good time.
PRIX DU CABALIROS. (Comparison only)
Moonfire (39-rated) has been well placed by Henri-Alex Pantall since switching from Charlie Appleby. Won this C2 by a short-head, getting a dream run through and then idling since in front.
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