Since his passage over the mile in 2011, several champions have put on a great show in this Group II labeled race. In the inaugural edition, Commander Crowe strikes a great blow by becoming the first European trotter to descend below the symbolic threshold of 1'09 "in kilometer reduction. The 1'08" 9 of the horse trained by Fabrice Souloy has long remained a record on the continent.
The following year, this same Commander Crowe paid the scalp of Ready Cash , at the cost of an anthology straight line. The year 2017 marks the end of Timoko's career . Despite a lack of flexibility, the generous trotter of Richard Westerink leaves by the front door by winning the 36th success of his career. Finally, it is once again a question of a record during the last edition. The Italian Vivid Wise As wins in 2019 in the kilometer reduction of 1'08 "6, ahead of the new record holder of the Cagnes-sur-Mer track. Never has a trotter gone so fast in France. less until this Saturday evening.
"The Cagnes-sur-Mer piste is perfect for the pace of Vivid Wise As"
Vivid Wise As is putting his title back on the line this year. Despite an eventful summer, where his coach, Alessandro Gocciadoro, was deprived of Elitloppet, following a sanction from the Swedish authorities, the representative of Antonio Somma's casaque was quick to regain form. “In Sweden, it was an accident. The horse was not at its best. He was having his riding season at the same time and it did not go as desired ”explains the coach. Since then, Vivid Wise As has set the record straight by chaining two victories, including one against the rising star of Italian trotting, Zacon Gio : “His last two successes have been pleasant. Having a number outside of Funny Jet (Vivid Wise As will start from lane 4 and his rival from 3) will make my horse's race more difficult, but he has remained in excellent condition. Cagnes-sur-Mer piste is perfect for its paces. "
"Number 3 is ideal"
Returning to his best level, leaving his health problems behind him, Drôle de Jet achieved an unusual performance: running three races below 1'10 ”. A feat which demonstrates the optimal form of Pierre Vercruysse's resident. “My horse is still in good condition. I could have run in Enghien, railroaded, but with the hot weather, I preferred to leave him four weeks between races. It travels well and will make the trip at night to avoid being in high temperatures. He has just achieved lap times of less than 1'10 '' several times, but the important thing will be to win the race, regardless of the reduction in kilometers. Number 3 is ideal. This will allow me to be able to put in less effort than if I were to venture outside of Vivid Wide As . "
In front of them, let's not forget the “champion in the shadows” Billie de Montfort , orphan of her teammate Bold Eagle , but whose generosity has not wavered over the years. Finally, if Jean-Michel Bazire does not make the trip to the Riviera, the coach delegates Bel Avis, entrusted to his son Nicolas, as well as Valokaja Hindo (Christophe Martens). A poster in small groups but a meeting that promises to be explosive!
