The planets were undeniably aligned this year for
Flamme du Goutier
. Second in the previous edition of the Prix de Cornulier (Gr. I), the pupil of Thierry Duvaldestin this time managed to win. Unlike last year, the 7-year-old mare finished the fastest. Its success is largely linked to the inspiration of its jockey, Antoine Wiels. "I was disappointed with myself last year," he says. Today I didn't make the same mistake slipping inside my opponents. I am lucky to be associated with a practical mare. And when you have the resources to do it, it's easier. »
What a FLAMME DU GOUTIER race!
It offers Antoine Wiels a first success in the Prix de Cornulier.
@
A_Lamy56
_
_
_
_
— The Parisian |
turf (@leparisien_turf) January 23, 2022
Moved to tears after his success, Antoine also discussed his weight management in the days leading up to the event.
“I dried myself to weigh 65 kg, and it was very hard, specifies the hero of the day.
It is therefore a source of pride to have succeeded in reaching this weight.
And seeing the result, I tell myself that this may have made the difference.
“He who confided in our columns that it was” the year or never to win a Cornulier “, therefore fulfilled his contract.
“I'm going to have to go on for another year now that I've won,” he continued with a laugh after being sprayed with champagne by his friends on his return to the locker room.
Saved from… the rails…
However, the adventure between the 33-year-old jockey and
Flamme du Goutier
almost never happened. On September 12, 2019, Thierry Duvaldestin, trainer of the mare, was looking for a jockey to ride his mare in the Prix de Normandie. Antoine Wiels is available and decides to go to Vincennes, by train, with his son. Only problem, the repeated delays put him in a delicate situation. “I called my wife and my agent, recalls the person concerned. I asked them to pick me up at Angers station. I took one of the two cars and drove to Vincennes. Fortunately, the driver arrives on time and wins Group I. "If I miss the race, I may be missing out on my whole career with it," he breathes, recalling this episode.
Of course, the success of this success also goes to his trainer, Thierry Duvaldestin, who won his first Prix de Cornulier.
“He focused all the preparation on this race, notes the winning jockey.
His work was perfect to bring him to the top on D-Day." Ten years after Ready Cash's last victory in a Prix d'Amérique, the Ornais professional, who watched over the champion's career, shines at the highest level. one of his daughters in the specialty of mounted trotting.
A feminine quinté
Unprecedented fact, the first five places of this Group I finally went to five females. "It's infuriating to be beaten at the very end", confided the entourage of the mare ridden by Camille Levesque, who was associated with Granvillaise Bleue, finally second. For the third consecutive year, Étoile de Bruyère finished on the podium of this Prix de Cornulier, a real feat. The defending champion,
Bahia Quesnot
, made a very good end of the race but failed at the foot of the podium. “It's a shame to have been thick in the final turn, regrets his mentor, Junior Guelpa. Without that, we could have finished second. But my mare was amazing. I'm proud of her. As for
Gladys des Plaines
s, she pulls off a stunning finish after looking completely beaten on the final turn.
