Declaration of War’s Olmedo Swoops In the Poulains

[Wandering Eyes]

In a renewal of ParisLongchamp’s G1 The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains affected by a slick surface caused by further rainfall in the capital, with US Navy Flag (War Front) stumbling on the turn after three furlongs, it was Antonio Caro and Gerard Augustin-Normand’s Olmedo (Fr) (Declaration of War) who emerged best with a stirring effort having been looked after by Cristian Demuro on that slippery bend. Sent off the 13-5 second favourite, the TDN Rising Star who was runner-up in the course-and-distance G3 Prix de Fontainebleau Apr. 15 had plenty of ground to make up on the forcefully-ridden Ballydoyle raider and Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) as they straightened for home. With Dice Roll (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) joining in up front, Olmedo started to go to work with his long stride and reeled them in inside the final 50 metres for a neck success from Hey Gaman, who nosed out Dice Roll with the Fontainebleau winner Wootton (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and US Navy Flag fourth and fifth. “These are the type of races these horses are being prepared for very carefully and I’ve always loved that horse,” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget commented as the jockeys were in discussion with the stewards about the state of the ground, delaying the start of the Pouliches in the process. “He ran a great race on his return and has never run a bad race. I’m definitely convinced that better ground was going to make a difference and he has proved his class. He was in great condition. Mr Caro and Mr Augustin-Normand have an amazing strike-rate at the highest level and I would imagine if all is well we will head to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club [at Chantilly June 3].”

Sunday, Longchamp, France
THE EMIRATES POULE D’ESSAI DES POULAINS-G1, €600,000, LCP, 5-13, 3yo, c, 8fT, 1:37.72, gd.
1–OLMEDO (FR), 128, c, 3, by Declaration of War
1st Dam: Super Pie, by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Super Lina (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Supergirl, by Woodman
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€100,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Antonio Caro & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Dream With Me Stable Inc (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €342,840. Lifetime Record: 5-2-3-0, €468,350. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Hey Gaman (GB), 128, c, 3, New Approach (Ire)–Arsaadi (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). (100,000gns RNA Ylg ’16 TATOCT). O-Sultan Ali; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-James Tate. €137,160.
3–Dice Roll (Fr), 128, c, 3, Showcasing (GB)–Schlague (Fr), by Pulpit. (€130,000 Ylg ’16 AROCT). O-Giacomo Algranti & Haras d’Etreham; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG (FR); T-Fabrice Chappet. €68,580.
Margins: NK, NO, 1 3/4. Odds: 2.60, 32.00, 4.20.
Also Ran: Wootton (Fr), U S Navy Flag, Kings Shield, Infernal Majesty (Fr), Il Primo Sole (GB), Magic Bibou (Fr), Francesco Bere (Fr), Louis d’Or (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

View the full article