The last time the Baden-Baden faithful had an eyeful of Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), the Gestut Auenquelle flagbearer was upstaging the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}) in the picturesque venue's flagship G1 Grosser Preis von Baden. While that was notable enough at the time, what came next as he marauded among the more tantalising reputations assembled for the Arc assured him legendary status in the nation that had been forced to wait nearly half a century for Star Appeal's follow-up act. Racing proved there it is no respecter of rank and so it is here in Sunday's G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft as the Marcel Weiss-trained 5-year-old starts all over again. Winning the Arc ensures a certain aura, but it does not confer mythical powers and the combination of a four-pound penalty and potential rustiness means there is not as much between him and one or two of these including Stall Nizza's Deutsches Derby runner-up Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}).
The Way Back
At ParisLongchamp, France's very own version of Torquator Tasso, Le Haras de la Gousserie and Guy Pariente's Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), runs in the feature G1 Prix d'Ispahan which probably because of its proximity to Royal Ascot has failed to draw the strength in depth expected of a top-level contest staged here. First advertising his wares when a surprise fifth in the German raider's Arc, the chestnut embarked upon Ascot to top that effort by carrying off the centrepiece G1 QIPCO Champion S. but it is safe to say that things have not been straightforward since. Beaten in three subsequent efforts, he has ground to make up on the re-opposing Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), who had him a place behind when runner-up in the G1 Prix Ganay here at the start of the month.
All In Place
Ballylinch Stud have already had a big week thanks to Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) and the Co. Kilkenny establishment could cap it with the Andre Fabre-trained Place du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the G1 St Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary. Owned in equal partnership with Al Shaqab Racing, the impressive Apr. 22 G3 Prix Cleopatre winner faces unknown quantities in the May 4 Listed Cheshire Oaks runner-up Above the Curve (American Pharoah) and Ecurie Melanie's unbeaten Rouget project Sippinsoda (Fr) (War Front). She misses a date with Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) after that 1000 Guineas runner-up was forced to turn back due to heavy delays at the English Port of Dover. In a fascinating G3 Prix du Palais-Royal, Jean-Claude Seroul's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Marianafoot (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) is tackled by Everest Racing, Barbara Keller and David Redvers's Malavath (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) who seeks to bury the memory of a deflating effort when down the field in the 1000 Guineas at the start of the month.
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