One of the great benefits to having such a well managed race program in France is that we get to see some great racing in midweek as well as at the weekend. Tuesdays card at Auteuil is great example of that. I won't dwell on it too much, but when you have an 8-race card, which includes 3 pattern class races and over €570,000 in prize-money on offer, it makes for great entertainment. I have included the time comparisons for the hurdle races below, but having watched the races back a few times already, there was one horse that stood out for me as worthy of being added to the tracker. Kalashi has an eye-catching pedigree, but if you watch his run yesterday in the Prix Patrick Lec, it is hard not to get excited about what he might be able to achieve now that he has begun to mature.
Heres's a summary of his profile:
KALASHI
4YO AQPS Gelding
It’s Gino x Unique Star (Khalkevi)
5th Foal. Half-brother to G1 winning novice hurdler Good Land. Dam Flat winner in France up to 14f. Half-Sister to winning chaser Tony Star.
Form: 45-3 , €14,935 career earnings.
Connections: M Rolland, Jean-Charles Haimet, Didier Provost, Pascal Liberge
Notes: 4-year-old gelding with an obvious pedigree. Ran twice as a 3-year-old. Finished 4th on debut behind Kalif du Berlais at Compiegne in October 2023, beaten 20-lengths having raced prominently before being outpaced rounding the home turn. Ran to a similar level when 5th behind Krakan at Compiegne a month later (winner now rated 66kg, 132). Sat behind the leaders but outpaced again rounding the bottom bend.
Had 10-months off before promising return in 4YO AQPS Hurdle at Auteuil 24th September. Given a quieter ride, shaken up around home turn without being asked for everything. Nursed round to get to the last then driven out to close on leaders all the way to the line. Race was run at a steady tempo, so did well to make any headway having been 20-lengths back as they turned for home. Shaped like this was a fitness run.
Remains a Novice over hurdles after 3 starts.
Key Races to Watch
28/10/2023 - Prix Shandrani Beachcomber - Compiegne (5th)
24/9/24 - Prix Patrick Lec - Auteuil (3rd)
