In the Prix Maurice de Gheest, the heroes of the first semi-classic for 2 years (Prix Emmanuel Margouty), Mack de Blarywho had made an impression, and his runner-up Maestro Riverauthor of a superb performance, were eagerly awaited. From the kick-off, the revenge immediately fell through for Eric Raffin’s partner, “who was too angryquickly debriefs his mentor, Sébastien Guarato. And the false start didn’t help him”. As for Mack de Blarythe big favorite, he quickly found himself in an unfortunate position. “The 2,175 meters are not really his distanceexplains its pilot, Théo Duvaldestin. On this route, things go quickly for him. He doesn’t really like it. Suddenly, I found myself far away and, inevitably, I had a bad journey.” In a race led by Monzon Normandthe son of Face Time Bourbon is forced to approach in third thickness, nose to the wind, before finding himself at the head of the wagon from two to twelve hundred meters from the goal. “That said, I found that it wasn’t the same horse as last time, he adds. I felt a little worse. Maybe he’s brewing something. Despite everything, he doesn’t run badly.”
Trial for a masterstroke
If he will have the opportunity to redeem himself, victory goes to another son of Face Time Bourbon. This one comes from the other side of the Alps. And for its first in France, Golden Gio hits the nail on the head. After benefiting from a good run, the representative of Scuderia Bivans proved unstoppable in the sprint to easily put the French under his belt. A baptism of fire on the ashes that was masterfully prepared by its trainer, Marco Smorgon, considered in the eyes of many as the precursor, the one who showed the way to the Italians in France. “I would say that I reopened it in the era of modern racing, because others had done it before me,” as he likes to humbly recall. Although less present in France than in the past, the man of Zinzan Brooke Tour, Oropu Bar et al. is recognized, appreciated and respected by all. From Guy Verva, through the racecourse staff, to Jean-Luc Dersoir, many people came to meet him to warmly congratulate him. A rating of affection that does not crumble over time. “It’s always an incredible pleasure to win here”relishes the person concerned whose last success in France dates back, as a coach, with Juan Carlos Gifontin Saint-Galmier, in July 2023, and in Vincennes with Diablo Casteletsin October 2016.
“He reminds me a little of “Vivid” in character”
To return to the performance of Golden Gio“this victory is not entirely a surprise for me, because I have great confidence in my horse, he indicates. He’s a really good colt. Before the shot there were doubts with parameters like descent, ascent and volta. We worked on the distance, the volley before coming. He was ready. To date it has been preserved and not raced much. I think he has a lot of room. I would even say that he doesn’t have too many faults (laughs).” Very well born, his mother Zed Wise Aswho is the full sister of Vivid Wise As. The aforementioned evolved under the thumb of Marco Smorgon in his early youth. Is it possible to compare them at the same age? “It reminds me a little of “Vivid” in character. It’s cold.” Golden Gio should be on track in the Prix Paul Viel (Gr. II), on January 25, like his runner-up, Choquel Magnum. “He is probably beaten by a better sprinterindicates its developer, Nicolas Bridault. I believed in it for victory. This is very good, because it doesn’t have any gimmicks yet and it’s heavy shod. We’re going to take it easy on the Critérium by lightening it up a little..” Monzon Normandreduced by a small health problem during the previous semi-classic, completes the podium. “He runs better, confides Yoann Lebourgeois. I went ahead, but it wasn’t planned. He left well, but I was waiting Mack de Blarywho did not come…” Mat Manathisfourth, confirms his performance in the Emmanuel Margouty Prize.
