Total Gocciadoro domination in Turin
by Thomas Hedlund
Monday’s (April 6) feature meeting in Turin turned into a complete showcase for Alessandro Gocciadoro, whose stable dominated the day’s major events.
Two divisions of the $220,000 Premio Derby 4 Anni were contested, and in the fillies’ division Gocciadoro-trained runners swept the podium.
Giovaz (Maharajah), driven by Antonio Di Nardo, was involved in the early battle for position and eventually landed in the pocket trip after Gocciadoro himself sent Glamour Queen (Face Time Bourbon) to the lead after 900 meters.
Down the backstretch, Giovaz moved up first-over and had already taken control entering the final turn. Glamour Queen fought on gamely along the inside, but Giovaz edged clear in the closing strides to score in a 1:56.1 mile rate over 2,060 meters.
Glamour Queen finished second, while Gioconda Jet (Maharajah), also trained by Gocciadoro and driven by Magnus A. Djuse, completed a stable trifecta in third.
GUGLIELMO JET HOLDS ON
In the colts’ division, Guglielmo Jet (Maharajah) was the clear favorite — unsurprisingly so.
The colt ranks among the very best of the Italian 4-year-old crop and has already taken on — and beaten — top French rivals at Vincennes this winter.
Guglielmo Jet took over the lead after 700 meters but did not trot entirely comfortably, particularly through the turns, and the earplugs were pulled early. Gocciadoro had to stay active in the bike to keep his horse focused, and when challengers came both inside and outside in the final 100 meters, his main task was simply to keep the colt together.
Gimmy Top (Readly Express) and Golden Boy (Maharajah) both mounted strong late challenges, but Gocciadoro managed to nurse Guglielmo Jet home first in a 1:55.4 mile rate over 2,060 meters, with both rivals recording the same time.
ALWAYS EK BEST IN COSTA AZZURRA
In the $240,000 Gran Premio Costa Azzurra, Magnus A. Djuse was content to sit first-over behind Always Ek (Filipp Roc) — and it proved to be the winning move.
Dany Capar (Exploit Caf), driven by Gocciadoro, was quickest off the gate, but Dubhe Prav (Robert Bi), driven by Santo Mollo, pressed forward from an outer post and took over the lead before the first turn, with Dany Capar settling in the pocket.
Djuse remained parked outside the leader with Always Ek, and turning for home the 10-year-old had worn down the frontrunner and powered clear to a decisive victory.
Stablemate Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon) finished strongly for Andrea Guzzinati but could not threaten Always Ek, settling for second, while Dany Capar held third — sealing yet another Gocciadoro-trained trifecta on the day.
Always Ek stopped the clock in a 1:53.1 mile rate.
DON FANUCCI ZET ON HIS PATH TOWARDS ELITLOPPET
Ten-year-old Don Fanucci Zet (Hard Livin) won Elitloppet at Solvalla as a 5-year-old in 2021. Last year he was runner up behind Go On Boy and on Wednesday (April 8) evening the Daniel Redén trainee was ready for his season debut 2026.
And driver Örjan Kihlström didn’t have to push Don Fanucci Zet especially hard the first 150 meters claiming the lead. The son of Hard Livin, who has entered Elitloppet every year since his debut in the race 2021, took a big step towards another entry in the big mile race at Solvalla on Wednesday night, as he cruised to a safe win in the second E-race ahead of Elitloppet.
Don Fanucci Zet raced relaxed in front and just sprinted to victory in 1:54.2.
Alessandro Gocciadoro’s Diva Ek (Trixton) claimed the first E-race two weeks ago and after Wednesday’s $20,000 The Onion’s race she shares the lead in the series with Don Fanucci Zet.
Remaining races in E-race-series:
Nuncios Lopp on April 22 — Solvalla
Paralympiatravet on May 9 — Åby
Meadow Roads Lopp on May 13 — Solvalla
Milemästaren on May 16 — Tingsryd
Pris Daniels Lopp on May 23 — Gävle
