There was no question of luck yesterday on the occasion of the Prix de Paris but the victory did indeed smile on the daring.
A man of challenge, Richard Westerink surprised a lot of people by presenting
Astonishing
in this Group I since his resident had only won one trot victory on the legendary Vincennes track.
And this success dates back to January 2018 ... Since then, the son of champion Timoko had found his way to mounted trotting, a specialty in which he had hitherto achieved his finest jewels.
Whatever, nothing scares his coach Batav, who had to work in a slaughterhouse at the start of his career to "make ends meet".
Associated with
Astonishing
, Anthony Barrier, who won his first Group I on the trot in France, was also full of praise after the event: “Richard Westerink is a great trainer, and he allowed me to be associated with a large horse.
Astonishing had a brilliant winter: even beaten, it never finished very far.
Nicknamed "Moustik" because of his small size, the driver had no doubts about his partner's outfit, "because true he is a cross-country horse", in his own words.
Like his father,
Astonishing
could now try his luck in the next Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur, the only Group I to be contested at the Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse, on March 14.
Missing favorites, singing reports
While the winner made this 4,150 m long race his own from start to finish at the odds of 59/1, the favorites all disappointed, starting with the first of them,
Davidson du Pont
, at least at fault. a turn of the finish.
Winner of the Prix de France two weeks ago,
Délia du Pommereux
had to settle for sixth place while
Flamme du Goutier
was disqualified from second place after investigation for gait problems.
It is therefore not… surprising to see the Quinté posting more than € 592,000 for a € 2 stake.
Astonishing victory
#Trot # MH2021 #Quinte #PDAR @vhpofficiel
🏆 Surprising (@ecurierw - A. Barrier) won the Grail by winning from start to finish in the Prix de Paris (Gr.1) #MarathonRace.
Diable de Vauvert is second after the disqualification of Flamme du Goutier after investigation.
pic.twitter.com/JtOFDdAk4f
- Equidia (@equidia) February 28, 2021
The other highlights of the day
Grace of Faël on green carpet
Great favorite (2/10) of the Prix Paul Bastard, yesterday in Paris-Vincennes,
Gladys des Plaines
fulfilled her task, not without difficulty, against
Grace de Faël
.
After investigation, the resident of Gilles Curens was deprived of her success for paces considered irregular in the final phase.
Thierry Duvaldestin's protégé took the opportunity to win her second Group II by smashing the race record in 1'11 ”9.
Epsom d'Herfraie undefeated this winter
Winner of his last six races and unbeaten in four attempts this winter on the Parisian ash,
Epsom d'Herfraie
did not need to force his talent to succeed in the big 7 yesterday at Paris-Vincennes.
Driven by Eric Raffin, the resident of Jean-Michel Baudouin won from start to finish and is clearly ahead, as last,
El Santo Haufor
.