Lunella Leman dominates Critérium des 5 Ans

by Thomas Hedlund

Lunella Leman was in a class of her own in Saturday’s (Sept. 12) $330,000 Critérium des 5 Ans at Vincennes, drawing away from her rivals by several lengths in the stretch for trainer Benoît Robin.

The race changed dramatically when favorite Lancier du Goutier made a break while leading midway through the contest. That left Lunella Leman (Boccador de Simm—Comète Leman) first-over, forcing her to do the hard work herself against France’s best 5-year-olds. It made no difference.

By the time the field straightened for home, Lunella Leman had taken complete control. Sent off at 19-1, she powered clear to score comfortably in a 1:54 mile rate for 2,850 meters.

NAYA D’ERONVILLE TAKES DOWN THE FAVORITE IN CRITÉRIUM DES 3 ANS

Naya d’Eronville proved strongest in the final stages of the $330,000 Critérium des 3 Ans, wearing down favorite and divisional leader Nocive du Choquel for Clément Duvaldestin.

With one lap remaining, François Lagadeuc moved Nocive du Choquel to the lead. Approximately 900 meters from the finish, Duvaldestin advanced Naya d’Eronville (Hohneck—Calliope de Reux) to race first-over. From there, she simply out-toughed the favorite.

Naya d’Eronville took command late and won decisively in a 1:56.2 mile rate for 2,700 meters.

Nocive du Choquel (Face Time Bourbon) finished second, with Nobel du Rib (Face Time Bourbon) third. Both were timed in 1:56.3.

MOUSTIK LA GOVELLE CAPITALIZES IN CRITÉRIUM DES 4 ANS

The $330,000 Critérium des 4 Ans turned into a chaotic affair, with several major contenders making breaks.

Favorites Mack de Blary and Monzon Normand both broke early, opening the door for 14-1 outsider and monté star Moustik la Govelle. Driven and trained by Damien Bonne, Moustik la Govelle (Discours Joyeux—City Girl) took command with approximately 200 meters remaining and held firm to capture the Group 1 event in a 1:55.2 mile rate for 2,850 meters, equaling the stakes record.

It was the third Group 1 victory of his career. Moustik la Govelle had previously won the €240,000 Prix du Président de la République, the French monté Derby, and last year captured the €240,000 Prix de Vincennes, one of the premier monté races for 3-year-olds.

EXPRESS GO MAKES IT 10-FOR-10

The remarkable story of Norwegian 3-year-old filly Express Go continues. On Saturday (Sep. 12) at Bjerke in Oslo, she captured the $100,000 Norwegian Filly Kriterium and extended her perfect career record to 10 wins from 10 starts.

The race had been billed as a showdown between the unbeaten Express Go (Readly Express), trained by amateur Ole Standahl, and Bringmewine (Calgary Games), trained by Geir Vegard Gundersen.

That duel never materialized. After just 100 meters, Magnus Teien Gundersen lost control of the race with Bringmewine when she surrendered the lead to Brooke David (Great Challenger) and became trapped. The favorite’s chances disappeared completely after 300 meters when she made a break. On the first backstretch, Erlend Rennesvik moved Chasse Artist (Very Kronos) aggressively to the lead, while Dag-Sveinung Dalen waited second-over with Express Go.

Not for long. Once the early battle had settled, Dalen moved Express Go first-over. After applying pressure down the final backstretch, she took command entering the final turn. From there, it was a show.

Express Go opened several lengths on the field in her trademark style, head carried low between her front legs, and cruised home in a 1:58 mile rate for 2,100 meters.

The victory was her 10th in as many starts. Her previous major wins include Biris Elitlopp, Hans Petter Tholfsens Minnesløp, and Tamin Sandys Æresløp.

UNBELIEVABLE TALISMAN WINS NORWEGIAN FILLY DERBY

Heavy favorite Unbelievable Talisman was expected to go wire-to-wire in the $170,000 Norwegian Filly Derby for 4-year-olds. That didn’t happen, but she still won.

Unbelievable Talisman (Maharajah) lost the lead from the rail to fast-starting A.V.’s Shannon, but Svein-Ove Wassberg found his way into the clear on the first backstretch when Catchagaga Volo (Googoo Gaagaa) moved to the front after approximately 600 meters.

Wassberg then sent Unbelievable Talisman first-over. She applied sustained pressure to Catchagaga Volo throughout the final lap, and the pair separated from the rest of the field with half a lap remaining. By the top of the stretch, that pressure had taken its toll. Unbelievable Talisman took command and went on to win securely in a 1:58 mile rate for 2,100 meters.

Catchagaga Volo held well for second, while G.G. Gentil (Maharajah) finished third after a ground-saving trip in fourth along the rail.