The 1/5 favorite Aubrion du Gers (8g Memphis du Rib-J’Arrive du Gers) won this Hippodrome de Wallonie (Mons Ghlin Belgium) Gr. II International classic (purse 120,000€, 2300 meters autostart, 16 starters), timed in 1.13.6kr, over the rain soaked surface, piloted by Joseph Verbeeck for trainer/owner Jean Michel Bazire.
Verbeeck had the winner mid-pack in the early going before making a three wide move to the front before the stands on the second lap.
From there this pair led to the line holding off 9/1 Billie de Montfort (7f Jasmin de Flore-Quismy de Montfort) and driver Hugo Langeweg Jr. by a length. This Sebastien Guarato trainee, owned by Philippe Dauphin, was first off the gate, yielded, re-took and then followed Aubrion to the finish.
The 10/1 Valko Jenilat (9m Kepler-Perle du Roc) was third for Glenny Delaune, trainer Guarato and owner Guy Chaumont. Valko made a strong run at the winner around and off the final bend and held enough to box Billie until it was too late. 33/1 Voeland and 40/1 Attacus completed the top five in this Quinte+ contest (top five paid 21.20€ on Le Turf).
For the winning Aubrion it was his 11th straight victory and he is 12 for 13 in 2018 with one second place finish, and the 41st victory in his storied career, now with earnings of 2,183,797€.
The Prix Rencontre (purse 30,000€, 2300 meters autostart, 12 starters) saw the 3/5 favorite Er Voila du Muze (4m Royal Dream-Nolaila) score in 1.16.3kr for driver Piet Van Pollaert, trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Union Stable. This winner now has 11 career wins in 17 starts for 79,856€ earned. 6.5/1 Expert d’Arpion (4g Real de Lou) was second for Joseph Verbeeck and third was 4.9/1 Laelc Vrijthout (4f Orlando Vici) for Rick Ebbinge.
The Prix Champagne Moet & Chardon (purse 12,000€, 2850 meters autostart, 11 starters) went to 1.16.6kr timed and 2.2/1 odds Riviera As (8f Cantab Hall-Fortune As) with Francis Neirinck up for trainer Mme. Melanie Gibon. The 47/1 outside Vasterbo Arthur (8g CR Excalibur) was second for trainer/driver Lieven Cannaert and third went to 1.6/1 favorite Gosip Sidney (8g SJs Photo) with driver Marc Huygens.
The Hippodrome de Wallonie’s GP des Geniteurs (35,000€ purse, 2300 meters autostart, 14 starters, three year olds) saw 1.6/1 favorite Lynx d’Erpion (3g Rubis de Padd) rally to victory for Mme. Hanna Huygens and owner/trainer Maurice Lambaerts. Race time was 1.16.6kr. 3.6/1 Love It Ev (3m Boardwalk Hall-Emely Love) was second for Gerard Vergaerde, ahead of 12/1 Lilou du Lauzet (3f Daguet Rapide) for trainer/driver Jo Corbanie.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink