Toulouse 3YOs - 19th March

The Flat season is gathering pace in France and as a result we have seen some very smart 3-year-olds beginning to appear. The Paris tracks and the Northern training centres will often grab the big headlines, but there is an equally interesting program in the South and there is a fair chance that we saw a couple of above average types at Toulouse on Wednesday evening. Debutante's races can be hard to assess, but the Prix D'Essai had a couple of interesting runners who dipped below the magic 11-second furlong in the home straight and they both looked to be above average on debut. Here are my notes on Wednesday's 3-year-old races;

Winner	Time	Réduction KM	Final 3-Furlongs
Rabbit’s Foot	135.40	64.47	34.70
Want and Power	99.40	62.12	34.27

PRIX D'ESSAI

A little fortunate to get the perfect run around the inside, but Rabbit’s Foot has quickened nicely in the home straight. Came home in 10.94 and 11.20s when asked to quicken. She is a Golden Horde half-sister to Zarakem. She only cost €50k as a yearling (Arqana), but looks more than capable. Sent off Fav on the PMU at 4.0.

Indian Streak (2nd) has sat prominently too and was the only horse from those who raced forward to go with the winner. Came home in 34.97 for the final 3-furlongs but couldn’t ever get on terms. Over 5-lengths clear of the rest. Owned by Olivier Peslier, he is already gelded. Hot Streak half-brother to Indian Wish (JP O’Brien). Wore a tongue-tie.

Flying Free (3rd) is also trained by Rohaut. Sat much further back and had an almost impossible task from there, but did close to finish 3rd and ran home in 10.94 and 11.11s, which made him the fastest finisher. He is a Teofilo half-brother to Birr Castle (Fabre). Cost €240k as a yearling (Arqana). Easily wins a maiden on this evidence.

Hobart (4th) and Livry (5th) are both trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. Had the chance to get involved but lacked the pace for the closing sprint.

Finishing Speed (Winner) 111.41%

PRIX TORRESTRELLA

C1 for 3YOs. Want and Power had the run of the race in front and got first run with the rail to help. He is now 3-5 and boosted the form of the Prix de la Californie in the process. Able to run 10.84 and 11.10s, helped by the ground, but always holding the 2nd placed Merano. Capable horse, but suited by the way the race panned out and not certain to confirm this level of form if going into pattern races, for all he was the best on the day.

Tipinso (3rd) had been unbeaten coming into this and was sent off at 2.0 on the PMU. Sat in mid-division which was always going to make things difficult. Worked on around the turn to get closer but ran around, possibly unsuited by the faster ground and couldn’t get on terms.

Finishing Speed (Winner) 108.84%