Keep Going, the king wants to become emperor

Friday 20th December 2024 02:49 PM

Compared to certain recent editions of this Critérium Continental (2,100 m – GP), there is not a dominant, or even ultra-dominant, element in the generation of 4-year-olds, as the Jushua Tree (2023), Idao de Tillard (2022), Hohneck (2021), Gu d'Héripré (2020) et Face Time Bourbon (2019). All were crowned in this coveted classic. In this 2024 edition, many of them will be able to cover themselves with glory.

Keep Going, in the footsteps of the giants

Keep Going is, rightly, one of the serious contenders for the title. In September, the representative of José Davet propelled himself to the top of the hierarchy by winning the Critérium des 4 Ans. The son of Follow You will try to extend its supremacy in the face of an opposition this time internationalized. If successful, this uterine brother of Jolie Surprisewhich has reached a milestone in recent months, would continue to write its history by entering the very closed circle of champions having achieved the rare double “C4/Critérium Continental. There are seven of them who have accomplished such a feat over the past four decades. It is about Timo (2011), Rolling d’Héripré (2009), Korean (2002), General of Pommeau (1998), Tenor of Baune (1989), Quadrophene (1986) et Exciting (1985). Recently, he was one of the marks in the last preparatory (Prix Octave Douesnel (Gr. II). All shod and without having free rein. “It does the best for this objectivedeclares his trainer-driver to Christophe Meyer. He likes this course and has inherited a good number (editor’s note, the 3rd). Everything is looking good.” The only small problem is that, like a majority of competitors, he likes to wait and see before placing his sharp point, which can be fraught with hazards.

Conquering Italy

Facing the winner of the Critérium des 4 Ans, the best of the transalpine promotion: Executive Ek. If he won at Group III level in Vincennes (January), this uterine brother ofAlways Ekwhich ages well like the sons of Face Time Bourbonpassed another chapter. Since then, three classics have graced his list (Tino Triossi, Unione Europea and Giuseppe Biasuzzi). “I believe a lot in victory, I trust my mentor, Alessandro Gocciadoro. This is also the case for East Asia. Both are very strong. This will depend on the quality of the course.” If the second named, who made males fashionable under his belt (Koctel du Dain…) in his UET battery (super time of 1'10''4 on this track!), could please its owner, Jean-Pierre Barjon, Executive Ek will try to avenge his training and color companion, Vitruviusbeaten at the end in the 2018 edition after putting on a show. “It will be Éric Raffin who will pilot “Executive”, because I was detained the same day in Italy. I promised Nikola Jokic (NBA star) to lead his mare, Delicious Gar, in the Royal Mares Grand Prix (Gr. I), in Naples.” Third asset of “Goccia”, Edy Girifalco Gio will make the group outsiders before the start.

Honor to the most successful

On the breach at the highest level since a young age, Koctel du Dain has the best titles (Critérium des Jeunes…). Philippe Allaire's protégé only lost (2nd) with honors in the Critérium des 4 Ans after leading the event. Certainly, this hard subject would have preferred a holding course, and its number 1 is not a gift. That said, he triumphed in February with the 9 on this route in 1'10'' and fractions, against many contemporaries whom he meets. He has the right to fight for victory, like Khal’s Fellain full bloom and noticed by his finish in the reference event, Keenan de Joudessecond of the final preparatory in question, and Ksar, barefoot. The last three cities will start from the second line and will have to be brought back. If this is the case, they can strike a big blow. In Vincennes, it is no longer as prohibitive as in the past to start on the second row. The pace is so fast until the descent, where the competitors with the small numbers are pushing to take a good place, that it is better to let the storm pass and then take a wagon to get closer, to come finish on horses that have already made an effort. For his part, Benjamin Rochard will have to find, with the 9, the right measurement with Kana de Beylevcandidate for the best places. In the visiting clan, the American Crowncrowned in the Sprintermästaren (Gr. I), in July, is not incapable of a coup for his discovery of Vincennes. “He is belowEpic Kronos (nldr, winner of the UET), but he is not very far from him in terms of level”indicates Daniel Redén. He will adapt to Vincennes.”