14/12/24 – Prix Emmanuel Margouty (Gr. 2) – Males – 2,700m GP
Maestro River
Undefeated in three outings, the son of Gallius has already established himself as one of the best elements of his generation. Victorious on November 4, his mentor looked back on how he recovered from his efforts in view of this new challenge: “The horse is beautiful and has recovered well. He now has to face the best of the generation on the Big Track but that shouldn’t bother him. We might not win but he should fight for the top places.”
During his three victories, the representative of the Gérard Manzi has always taken charge of operations. “This time, Éric (Raffin, his driver) will take notice. Faced with the best, we will not necessarily take the lead.”
Maestro River should therefore, without any problems, give his opponents a hard time at the start of this first semi-classic reserved for 2-year-old males.
Marshall de Celland
Undefeated during his first three public outings, the one who now represents the Pierre Mbappé was somewhat disappointing during its most recent release. His mentor explains this relative underperformance: “The horse was less well, he had a growth spurt and didn’t have good gaits. We shouldn’t take his last race too seriously.”
The native of Bordeaux is much more confident for this Emmanuel Margouty Prize (Gr. 2) : “He is at the top, he has worked very well. I am leaving a little more confident especially since he has already beaten the best. He should run much better. Especially since he will perhaps be a little better on the Great Trail.”
15/12/24 – Prix Une de Mai (Gr. 2) – Females – 2,700m GP
Marion d’Atout
Presenting the same profile as his contemporary Maestro Riverthis girl Ready Cash will try to confirm his first three successes and thus unquestionably take the leadership of the generation among females. Victorious on November 23 in the Vourasie Prize (Gr. 3), “the filly has recovered very well since then and works fully satisfactorily in the morning” his trainer told us.
The one who is very close to reaching the mark of 2,500 victories as a trainer is rather positive about the candidacy of his filly, despite a small reservation expressed about the course: “She has a little weight on her legs so I hope she will be okay on the Grande Piste, especially on the climb. If that is the case, she should fight for the top places.”
In his boxes, Sébastien Guarato has another very good 2 year old filly in the person of Magic Americawhich he compares with Marion d’Atout : “They are of a similar level but Magic America is perhaps a little more of a filly for the future given her physique as a big mare.”
The latter will not be at the start of this May One Prize (Gr. 3) but should quickly make a name for itself at this level of competition: “Running at 10 days would have been too ambitious. We prefer to leave her to rest for the moment.”
