August, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

France Galop Adds GoingStick To Its Toolbox For Pre-Race Information

In addition to the penetrometer, which remains the reference tool, France Galop is now offering a much greater range of information regarding the going in flat pattern races (Groups 1, 2, 3 and Listed). This new service will be used for the first time in France on Aug. 7 at the Deauville racecourse, during the Deauville Barrière Meeting, which boasts a high number of Group and Listed races.

France Galop has chosen the GoingStick, a device developed by the British technology company TurfTrax. Measurements taken will provide unprecedented data resulting from a method that takes into account the penetration and, what is new, the shear of the turf. In the United Kingdom, publication of GoingStick readings is mandatory for all turf meetings.

The additional data published for major events is in line with international standards and will be of interest to French and international trainers with starters in these pattern races, as well as punters and racecourse groundsmen.

A total of 68 race meetings per year will benefit from this technology.

The British TurfTrax developed technology is an established method used in England, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and Japan. Readings collected at racecourses that use the GoingStick can be found in English and French on https://www.turftrax.co.uk/

Based on the model of the penetrometer, which remains the reference tool at all French racecourses, a series of readings will be taken on the day before the meeting with the GoingStick.

At each point, the GoingStick takes two measurements to produce an overall reading:

1. The bevelled blade is first driven into the track, measuring the amount of force required to push the tip into the ground

2. The device is then pulled back to a 45-degree angle, measuring the energy needed to pull back to an angle of 45 degrees from the ground

The information published during Group and listed races will be assembled on the TurfTrax website, accessible free of charge and without the obligation of creating an account. It will be presented in a detailed chart that will offer a wider range of data.

Tests carried out by France Galop over the past year have shown that ground readings measured with the GoingStick are consistent with that of the penetrometer. One essential difference is that the TurfTrax data is published according to the British scale.

Comparison of the two scales:

Penetrometer scale: The penetrometer scale, which has been in use in France since 1970, has 10 levels. It is expressed in mm and gives an average reading of ground penetration taken at various measuring points across the whole track (each time at 2 and 3 meters from the rail): at each measuring point, a weight of 1kg is dropped 3 times from a height of 1m along the penetrometer, which falls onto a 1cm² rod. The penetrometer then reads the depth to which the rod has sunk.

TurfTrax GoingStick scale: The GoingStick scale, which is also based on measurements taken along the track, is based on resistance. The greater the resistance, the firmer the ground, and vice versa. This scale has 7 levels. However, the British do not have a description for “very soft” or “holding” ground, but go straight from “soft” to “heavy.”

Information is published on the TurfTrax website (https://www.turftrax.co.uk/) in an identical manner to the penetrometer readings published on the France Galop website, namely:

– Entries at 10:00 am
– Final declarations at 10:00 am
– Pre-race race meeting before 10 am
– Race day at 10:00 am

GoingStick ground readings will be available on the Turftrax website and will be presented in form of a map showing the layout of the track. Where appropriate, different colors may be used to show any differences in ground conditions from one area to another.

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Report: Examination Of Laurel Surface Revealed Problems As Far Back As 2017

Laurel's recent renovation of its dirt track came after three horses suffered fatal breakdowns during morning works over a 10-day period in April. Initially, racing at Laurel was shifted to Pimlico Race Course with Laurel open for only light training. A total renovation of the racing surface became necessary after further inspection showed that the depth of the track's cushion, the top layer that horses run over, was inconsistent in spots, demonstrating that the track's problems went deeper than just the immediate surface.

According to a report from The Racing Biz, some officials in Maryland had warnings that there were serious problems with the track surface as far back as 2017.

Maryland horsemen had been reporting their concerns about Laurel for years, until the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association commissioned former track superintendent John Passero to inspect the surface and recommend any necessary changes in 2017. Passero found inconsistencies with the depth of the cushion in parts of the surface, but while his report went to some board members of the MTHA and some commission members, it's not clear exactly who did and didn't get the information at the time and there were no immediate changes made to the track as a result.

For much of the intervening years, two commissioners told The Racing Biz they heard concerns about the track surface but also heard the commission as a whole and The Stronach Group report at public meetings that they'd had no complaints about the racetrack.

Now, as renovation of the dirt oval at Laurel is nearing completion, the horsemen, the track ownership and the commission are hopeful that improved communication, aggressive maintenance and possibly improved reporting of non-fatal injuries can help eliminate such a problem going forward.

First Group 1 For Galileo Gold As Ebro River Best In The Phoenix

On the premises but off the board in a trio of group 2s in his native Britain, Al Shaqab Racing's Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) benefitted from a change in tactics to make virtually all in Sunday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh. In front before racing a furlong, the Hugo Palmer-trained 12-1 shot had the stand's rail to help and gave generously for Shane Foley as TDN Rising Star Dr Zempf (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) joined battle approaching the furlong pole. As that rival and the G2 Railway S. first and second Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) and Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) made it four across the track there, it was the British raider who gave most to see off Dr Zempf by 3/4 of a length with the 6-4 favourite Go Bears Go a head behind in third. Foley, who was in Saratoga on Saturday and returned to home soil in the morning, said, “Hugo fancied the horse. He's tough and genuine and I just said I wouldn't mind changing tactics, as they had been dropping him in. It looked like there wasn't much pace today and with that tailwind it's hard to get them back.”

Impressive when the 3 1/4-length winner of the Listed National S. over five furlongs at Sandown May 27, Ebro River was a creditable fifth in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot June 15 before finishing fourth in the G2 July S. at Newmarket July 8. Again in that position in a slowly-run renewal of the G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood July 29, the chestnut enjoyed being allowed to bowl along and as his sire had done in the 2016 G1 2000 Guineas got the rail and refused to relinquish. “He jumped and probably travelled too strongly if anything–we went end-to-end but I had a willing partner,” Foley said. “He had a good run in the Coventry, but had been keen and awkward and doing things wrong. It was an ideal day to make it, as we had the draw and it's all come together. I thought he'd be vulnerable, as he'd travelled so strong in my hands for the first three and I thought they might swallow him but he dug in and I was comfortable in the last 100 yards. I think he's a horse with a lot of talent and the softer the ground the better you'll see of him. He felt like he would get seven furlongs no problem if he learns to relax. He was a lot better today and I felt that even if they went another half a furlong he'd still be in front.”

Ebro River has a chance of emulating the last two years' Phoenix winners Siskin (First Defence) and Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in getting a mile next year, but his dam Soft Power (Ire) (Balmont) has mainly sprinters in her immediate family. She is kin to Key Rose (Ire) (Key of Luck), who was third in the Listed Flame of Tara S. in its former guise as a six-furlong contest and is a full-sister to the dam of the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G1 July Cup hero Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}). This is the dynasty of the GI King's Bishop S. hero The Big Beast (Yes It's True) and the GI Hollywood Derby hero Slew the Dragon (Seattle Slew). Soft Power's yearling filly is by Mehmas (Ire), while she also has a filly foal by Inns of Court (Ire).

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Home Win For France As Footstepsinthesand’s Marianafoot Takes The Maurice De Gheest

There were just three of the dozen to contest Sunday's G1 LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville trained in France, but despite extremely tough foreign opposition the home team managed a surprise one-two led by Marianafoot (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Prolific at a lower level of late, Jean-Claude Seroul's 6-year-old had captured the seven-furlong G3 Prix du Palais-Royal and G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot on ParisLongchamp's turning track May 30 and July 1 but was equally at home over the straight course here with Mickael Barzalona burying his mount in the stand's-side group early. Tacking on to the heels of the G1 July Cup hero Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) inside the final two furlongs, the 9-1 shot sliced his way through a gap to swamp that 9-5 favourite passing the furlong pole. Readily asserting from there, the chestnut who was extending the amazing run of his owner-breeder and trainer Jerome Reynier in 2021 following the success of their Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) had 1 3/4 lengths to spare over compatriot Tropbeau (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) at the finish. That 92-1 shot was the shock of the race as she denied Starman by a nose for the silver medal. “We've been targeting this for a while and in all his races beforehand we had in mind that they were preps for this,” Reynier explained. “We know he stays seven easily and I think he'll go a mile, so we had it in mind to make the running and turn it into a stamina test if need be. It was just a matter of getting an opening and he settled it within a matter of strides.”

With France winless in the six preceding domestic group 1 races, Marianafoot looked to have a tall order to stop that trend especially with such a potent international threat including the title holders of the July Cup, G1 Prix Jean Prat, G1 Commonwealth Cup, G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint S. and G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. Even allowing for his relentless progress since December, where he began his winning sequence in a conditions event over this trip on this venue's Polytrack, the idea of him upstaging such a stellar cast was in part fanciful and few would have predicted that the finish would involve a duo who were yet to figure at this level. Tried over a straight track on his fourth start this year in Chantilly's Listed Prix Servanne over six furlongs Apr. 26, he proved that held no fears before twice inflicting defeats on Duhail (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) at ParisLongchamp. After that rival had run such a fine race to be on the premises in the G1 Sussex S. last week, the portents were strong that he would at least be there at the business end and he was drawn favourably low which would aid his cause.

With the other 9-5 joint market-leader Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) proving difficult behind the stalls and fly-leaping and nearly unshipping Frankie Dettori exiting the stalls, she could almost be ruled out of contention even before she took too hard a grip racing far side. In a fascinating tactical affair, Maxime Guyon opted to pursue the Stonestreet sensation on Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) as they raced in isolation with Hollie Doyle adopting her usual front-running ploy on Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) up the centre and it may be no coincidence that this trio eventually filled the last three places. Following Glen Shiel was the G2 Lennox S. winner Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Tropbeau, while stand's side the third of the French runners Ocean (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}) led the Jean Prat hero Laws of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) and Starman with the winner tucked in behind. Starman had forged ahead with 300 metres remaining, but Marianafoot was really picking up in his shadow and as that rival found extra the July Cup winner faded close home to lose second to Tropbeau who emerges with great credit.

“When I ran him over six furlongs at Chantilly, I considered it a test over a straight course and although the owner wasn't too keen to run I told him we needed to teach him something,” Reynier said. “That proved to be the right move, as since then he has been perfect. He is now a group 1 winner and a stallion prospect. We'll keep him in Deauville and keep him fresh to see if we go for the [G1 Prix Jacques le] Marois next week. I know Palace Pier is coming and he'll be a tough nut to crack, but if he's doing well we might well take our chance. Later, the obvious target is the [Oct. 3 G1 Prix de la] Foret [at ParisLongchamp] if the ground hasn't turned too soft by then. If we are lucky, we might finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile.”

Stephane Pasquier said of Tropbeau, “The filly showed very good acceleration to pip Starman and take second. It's all very satisfying.” Starman's owner David Ward commented, “Starman was beaten by the ground. We will have to travel outside Europe at some point to find ground that suits him. He still ran well, despite the conditions not being to his liking. The jockey confirmed our impression. On good ground, he's a different horse.”

Marianafoot's dam Marianabaa (Fr) (Anabaa) is also responsible for the stable's 4-year-old Padron (Ire) (Gris de Gris {Ire}), who captured this year's Listed Prix Altipan and was third in the G3 Dusseldorfer Fruhjahrs-Meile. The second dam is the Listed Prix des Lilas scorer and G3 Prix Chloe runner-up Maria Gabriella (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), who produced the listed scorer Mariafoot (Fr) from a mating with Marianafoot's sire Footstepsinthesand. Maria Gabriella is kin to the Listed Prix Volterra winner and G3 Prix d'Aumale and G3 Prix Miesque runner-up Night of Light (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and to last year's G2 Dante S. runner-up Highest Ground (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Marianabaa's 3-year-old full-sister to Marianafoot named Marianansand (Fr) was fourth in the Listed Prix Aymeri de Mauleon this term, while she also has the unraced 2-year-old colt Mariananchic (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}).

Sunday, Deauville, France
LARC PRIX MAURICE DE GHEEST-G1, €380,000, Deauville, 8-8, 3yo/up, 6 1/2fT, 1:17.04, sf.
1–MARIANAFOOT (FR), 130, h, 6, by Footstepsinthesand (GB)
1st Dam: Marianabaa (Fr), by Anabaa
2nd Dam: Maria Gabriella (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)
3rd Dam: Celestial Lagoon (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Jean-Claude Seroul (FR); T-Jerome Reynier; J-Mickael Barzalona. €217,132. Lifetime Record: SW-Qat, 23-15-2-1, €650,262. *1/2 to Padron (Ire) (Gris de Gris {Ire}), SW-Fr & GSP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tropbeau (GB), 127, f, 4, Showcasing (GB)–Frangipanni (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (60,000gns Ylg '18 TAOCT; €180,000 2yo '19 ARQMA). O-Lady Bamford; B-Lord Margadale (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €86,868.
3–Starman (GB), 130, c, 4, Dutch Art (GB)–Northern Star (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). O/B-David Ward (GB); T-Ed Walker. €43,434.
Margins: 1 3/4, NO, HD. Odds: 8.90, 92.00, 1.80.
Also Ran: Brando (GB), Kinross (GB), Ocean (Fr), Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), Laws of Indices (Ire), Rohaan (Ire), Glen Shiel (GB), Thunder Moon (Ire), Campanelle (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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