Focus On Paris

[Wandering Eyes]

There is a definite end-of-term feeling in the air now that a premature wintry grip and heavy autumn rain has taken hold of Europe and its racing fixtures, but there remains some light amidst the gloom with ParisLongchamp’s Sunday card hosting two Group 1 races. The first is for the juveniles, but the seven-furlong Criterium International takes on a strange countenance featuring no French-trained representatives and just a foursome with two from Ballydoyle. Of much more interest is the Prix Royal-Oak, which is at least a competitive affair with a strong domestic presence. It sees Jean Gilbert and Claude Le Lay’s veteran Holdthasigreen (Fr) (Hold That Tiger) attempt to register back-to-back renewals on the back of a huge success in the G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran here Oct. 5.

George Strawbridge’s Call the Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was second in the Cadran, with the 2018 winner of that race having been given a lot of work to do in the straight and a change of tactics over this unique 15 1/2-furlong trip could see a different result. Fair Salinia and Pia Brandt’s Called To the Bar (Ire) (Henrythenavigator) was 3/4 of a lengths behind Holdthasigreen in last year’s renewal and has shaped as if he is an improved performer this season with wins in the May 26 G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and Sept. 8 G3 Prix Gladiateur here. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) continues her search for an elusive Group 1 win to join the club at John Gosden’s stable, but was disappointing when fourth in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at this venue Oct. 5, while Team Valor’s strong stayer Technician (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is perfectly poised after his G2 Prix Chaudenay win over 100 metres shorter at this track last time Oct. 5.

Following the embarrassment of Saturday’s eventually-abandoned G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy in terms of British-trained representation, the Criterium International takes on another dimension for the French with not a single trainer considering the race worth a try with any of their 2-year-olds. Despite the general trend heavily favouring foreign raiders in this, the act of total surrender this time must be cause for concern for the French racing authorities. As in the lost Doncaster fixture, Aidan O’Brien has his contemporaries running scared with two classy colts and perhaps the clue is in the fact that Donnacha O’Brien is on the G2 Futurity S. and G3 Tyros S. winner Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) with Seamie Heffernan on Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never). With Joseph O’Brien supplementing Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Lady Penelope (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), three-quarters of the field are trained by father and son.

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