For once, it was live from Cagnes-sur-Mer, where he had not performed for five years, that Mathieu Mottier answered our questions late Friday morning. Forty-eight hours before a Prix du Calvados (Gr. II) which promises to be decisive for his partner, Gazelle de Valthe reigning Golden Etrier displayed the phlegm of athletes accustomed to major confrontations. “I am rather optimistic, even if the mare will move up in categoryhe confides calmly when discussing the candidacy of the favorite for the final qualifying event for the Prix de Cornulier (January 19). I’m looking forward to racing because I think she can qualify.” And to add about the evolution of his mare, with which he has been associated six times under the saddle, since her victorious debut in mounted trotting, on the Lisieux racecourse, on May 13, 2024. “She always won easily, showing a lot of speed, more than in harness a priori. I don't know if she would be able to go ahead because I've always ridden her in the meantime, and I don't want to do it on Sunday. I'm going to try to put together a good race, I think. Last time she ran closer together than usual and maybe I found her a little stronger.” And to conclude with a “we will try to qualify her without giving her too hard a race” which ultimately says a lot about the future. Because one objective can push another and the Prix de Cornulier (Gr. I) will quickly appear on the horizon, two weeks after this “Q3”.
Little Orélie, London and Idola for the stable
Mathieu Mottier, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday the day before the Prix de Cornulier, will compete in eight of the nine races on the Sunday program, including three with representatives of his own team. “Little Orélie went a little to her right in the Prix de Vincennes (Gr. I) and when I wanted to bring her back to the left, she was perhaps afraid of a stake; In any case, that’s the only explanation I have. It's a shame, because she was doing very well. We gave our backs to Lexie de Banville and she might have overtaken us but mine was fine. I think she has a good chance. Concerning Londonshe had a little health problem and was unable to run the last semi-classic reserved for females. She didn't run the Prix Ready Cash (Gr. I) either, as a result. She fights the males but she is ready to run well. Finally, Idol didn't have a race so she went to enjoy the sea with Thomas Beauchêne and Victoriane Goetz. She came back in perfect condition and is ready to run well.”
Mathieu Mottier, who will also be on track with Monegasque, Quartz Sibey et Lennon d'Herfraie for the training of Jean-Michel Baudouin, as well as with Iznogoud Am for Sabine Kagebrant, is heading at high speed towards the mark of 1,700 successes (he totals 1,666 before the meeting this Friday, January 3 in Cagnes-sur-Mer), with 901 laurels in the harness and 765 in the mounted trot.
