Vincennes, FR – Sent off at odds of 22/1, Balando (7m Nijinski Blue-Quitalia) took today’s fifth leg of the Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf (Gr. III, purse €90,000, 2800 meters distance handicap, 16 starters) timed in 1.12.4kr.
He traveled the stated distance for driver Nico d’Haenens and breeder/trainer/owner Alphonse Vanberghen. This one now has 10 career wins for €316,930 earned.
The 9/10 favorite Cleangame (6g Ouragon de Celland-Red Bell) was second for Alexandre Abrivard, trainer J-M Bazire and owner J.M. Rancoule, timed in 1.11.9kr as he was penalized at the start 25 meters. The 43/1 long shot Viking Fromentro (9g Capriccio) was third for Thomas Levesque, also trainer.
Going off at 25/1 Blues des Landiers (7g Phlegyas) was fourth for Yoann Lebourgeois and fifth was 102/1 Anette du Mirel (8f Laetenter Diem) timed in 1.12.3kr (also a 25 meter handicapped starter) with Matthieu Verva up for trainer Anders Lindqvist and owner Anette Holmgren
This day at Karlshorst (Germany) the legendary Heinz Wewering teamed 1.7/1 Nelly Pepper (4f Fast Photo-La Croisette) to a 1.15.5kr timed victory in the Prix Honore de Balzac (purse €4,500, 2000 meters autostart). Wewering also was second twice on the card.
At Vichy was the Prix Henri Berry (purse €50,000, 2975 meters, 17 starters) and 6.8/1 Calin de Morge (6g Uzio Royal-Paradise Princess) scored in 1.13.7kr for Franck Nivard, trainer David Haon and owner Ecurie HD Trot.1.3/1 Tesauro (6g Filipp Roc) rallied for second handled by J-M Bazire for trainer L.Cl. Abrivard, ahead of third finishing 14/1 Cross Dairpet (6m Quaker Jet) with trainer Mickael Cormy up.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink