March, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Wootton Bassett Colt Looks Classic Material

Having wowed with a six-length win over a mile at Saint-Cloud in November, Malcolm Parrish's exciting colt American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Tres Americanqueen {Fr}, by American Post {GB}) returned to the same course and distance on Saturday to put his name among the 2023 Classic hopefuls with an impressive success in the Listed Prix Omnium II. Held up initially by Christophe Soumillon, the Yann Barberot-trained relative of the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville winner Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}) was cajoled forward nearing the end of the back straight. Seizing the advantage passing the two-furlong pole, the even-money favourite was soon clear and was eased late on to register a three-length verdict over Kendly (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}).

“Last year after his win over the course and distance he showed us that he could be a horse with a great potential,” the trainer said of the €102,000 purchase at the 2021 Arqana Deauville August Sale. “He confirmed that today, even though he was not fully fit having only had an easy piece of work on the grass last Tuesday. That opens up possibilities, but so far he has only raced on soft ground and I don't know how he will do over good or faster. The [G3] Prix de Fontainebleau is an option, but we won't commit at this stage.”

The dam is a daughter of the dual group-placed Tres Ravi (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), whose six black-type performers include the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville winner and G1 Deutsches Derby runner-up Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}) and the multiple group-winning sire Tres Rock Danon (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). Another of her progeny, Anabaa Blue's G2 Prix de Royallieu runner-up Tres Rapide (Ire), is the second dam of Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) who excelled here when capturing the G2 Prix Eugene Adam and G3 Prix Exbury and was second in the G1 Prix Ganay and Pretty Boy (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) who was second in this venue's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon. Tres Americanqueen's 2-year-old colt American Thunder (Fr) is by Night Of Thunder (Ire).

PRIX OMNIUM II-Listed, €55,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-18, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:46.65, sf.
1–AMERICAN FLAG (FR), 128, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Tres Americanqueen (Fr), by American Post (GB)
2nd Dam: Tres Ravi (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
3rd Dam: Tres Magnifique (GB), by Gay Fandango
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€102,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Malcolm Parrish; B-Chevotel de la Hauquerie (FR); T-Yann Barberot; J-Christophe Soumillon. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €49,900.
2–Kendly (Fr), 128, c, 3, Kendargent (Fr)–Kindly Dismiss (Fr), by Excellent Art (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE. (€38,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand & Stephen Lahmi; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Philippe Sogorb. €11,000.
3–Birr Castle (Fr), 128, c, 3, Cloth Of Stars (Ire)–Baki (Fr), by Turtle Bowl (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE. (€170,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Godolphin SNC; B-F Rohaut (FR); T-Andre Fabre. €8,250.
Margins: 3, 1 3/4, 1HF. Odds: Evens, 5.70, 4.50.
Also Ran: Sosino (Ire), Duc De Kent (Fr), Kizmambo (Ire), Angers (Fr), Denver Chop (Fr), Strako (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Treble Group 1 Winner Pastorius Dies at 14

The G1 Deutsches Derby winner and dual-purpose sire Pastorius (Ger) has died at the age of 14 after failing to respond to treatment for a “multinodular pulmonary fibrosis syndrome”.

Bred by Franz Prinz von Auersperg and Florian Haffa, the son of Soldier Hollow (GB) landed three Group 1 victories in Germany and France for trainer Mario Hofer and owner Stall Antanando. He followed up his Derby win with success in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis before returning at four to win the Prix Ganay.

Pastorius, who was out of the multiple-winning Monsun (Ger) mare Princess Li (Ger) and a full-brother to the Group 3 winner and German joint-champion juvenile colt Parthenius (Ger), stood his first four seasons in his native Germany at Gestut Fahrhof. In 2018, he moved to France to stand at Pascal Noue's Haras de la Hetraie, where he died on Saturday.

On Friday at Cheltenham, Pastorius's daughter Zenta (Fr) was third in the G1 Triumph Hurdle having won the G3 Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse in February. His growing profile as a jump sire has also been boosted by the Grade 1 AQPS bumper winner July Flower (Fr).

On the Flat, Pastorius is also the sire of last season's G1 Beverly D S. winner Dalika (Ger) and the Group 3 winners Parol (Ger) and Riocorvo (Ger).

Confirming the stallion's death, Noue said that Pastorius had not been shown to breeders during the Route des Etalons in January while suffering from a then-unexplained illness.

“Very quickly following this, he was diagnosed a multinodular pulmonary fibrosis syndrome,” he said. “The outcome is generally very gloomy. Shock treatment was nevertheless put in place and the situation seemed to have stabilised to such an extent that we were even considering being able to provide a minimum covering service until the end of the breeding season. However, in the last 48 hours his condition worsened and the treatment was no longer reasonable.”

Noue added, “I would like to thank all those who have supported us over the past few weeks and all the veterinarians, specialists and friends whom I have asked to learn more about this disease and who have always been there with kindness.”

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Winning Poker Strategy: Perfecting Your Poker Bluff

Everyone does it but very few do it well. The poker bluff is a refined skill, something that can tilt a game in your favor if used sparingly and at the right time.

In order to learn when is the right time to use your bluff we first have to study the behavior of the other players in the game. It is important to understand the betting habits of those at the table with you in order to execute a well timed bluff. First, establish yourself as a consistent player, show the others playing with you that you don’t make a bad habit of raising when you are holding a pair of deuces or holding back and calling with a full house. Establish your table character so you can use your bluff effectively.

Once you feel you have established your betting identity at a given table and have a good read at the betting habits of others you are now ready for your first bluff. The two players you have marked as quick betters raise with their first bets while at the same time those you have marked as “rocks” or conservative betters have either called or folded leading to your ideal bluff scenario. Start off with a conservative raise as you are not trying to scare off the “maniacs” still in the game. If the quick betters once again raise you are now set to begin betting aggressively with the intent of either building the pot or scaring of those faint of heart.

At this point the knowledgeable players remaining in the game will either decide it is time to fold or will counter with a call. The novice player marked as a “maniac” will se too enthralled with the size of the pot to back out at this time which is exactly what you were hoping for.

The ideal bluff strategy is what is called a semi-bluff, where you may be holding a pair of low numbered cards that offer you a change at winning the pot against the “maniac” bluffers simply waiting for all the other players to fold.

Using a well executed bluff will also help you with your strong hands, as now the possibility of you bluffing has been shown to the other players. They may go deeper into a game with an average hand knowing there is the possibility you are playing another bluff. Use the bluff sparingly and you time at the table will be much more enjoyable and profitable!

Balding Keen On Greenham Prep Run With Guineas Livewire Chaldean

Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), one of the most exciting horses in Britain, is likely to have a prep run for the 2000 Guineas in the Greenham S. at Newbury next month, his trainer Andrew Balding has revealed.

A general 8-1 chance for Guineas glory, Juddmonte's Chaldean will be bidding to chart the same path to victory as his sire Frankel, who took the Greenham before turning in one of the most memorable performances of all time in the Newmarket Classic.

Balding is no stranger to Guineas success himself. In 2020, he sent out Kameko to win the race under Oisin Murphy. While Kameko won the 2000 Guineas without having a prep race, Balding is happy to adopt a different approach with Chaldean, given how the colt thrived on his racing last year.

Balding told TDN Europe, “We are very happy at this moment in time. Chaldean has done very well in his coat and has come forward in his work so, at this moment in time, we are just where we want to be.”

He added, “I think we'd prefer a prep for the Guineas with him and the Greenham would be the obvious one for him. He's not penalised in that and it's eight miles down the road from us. It would be the equivalent of having a good gallop at home to go there and have a race.

“He's a horse who improved with racing last year–with every race he got better–so we have been planning for a prep with him. That is the intention at the moment, to go to Newbury and then on to Newmarket all being well.”

Chaldean went from strength to strength last season. After suffering defeat on debut, he went on to win his next four starts, culminating with victory in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster followed by a battling victory over Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G1 Dewhurst S at Newmarket.

Asked if the fact that Chaldean is a May foal contributed to his stupendous progression last term, Balding said, “It could well be. If I'm honest, he was a little unlucky first time out as he got caught in a pocket and was just a little bit inexperienced but he learned a lot from that and, as I said, with each run he seemed to get better. It was a very rewarding two-year-old career and hopefully he can do as well this year.”

He added, “After he ran a few times last year, he became not particularly flashy at home. He's very relaxed and every time we took him to the track, he put it in. He's just a great horse to have anything to do with.”

Frankie Dettori partnered Chaldean to his Champagne and Dewhurst wins and Balding confirmed that the intention is for the legendary jockey to maintain the partnership.

He concluded, “That's the intention [for Dettori to keep the ride this season]. We are hoping that is the case.”

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