Veteran mare Orsia (7f Angus Hall-Tigre OM-Zebu) won Sunday’s €110,000 purse Gran Premio Freccia d’Europa over 1600 meter autostart. Antonio DiNardo piloted the 1.11.8kr winner for her 25th victory in 76 career starts. Ribot EK (5g Varenne-Gianna di Jesolo-Diamond Way) was second for A. Farolfi in a close finish with third to Ravenna DK (5f Zinzan Brooke Tur-Dinan-Indro Park) driven by Roberto Andreghetti.
On the Napoli card was the Gran Premio Anact Finale for male two year-olds. This event carried a purse of €50,600 and contested over 1600 meters autostart. Uno Italia (2m Conway Hall-Italia Uno-Varenne) recorded the narrow victory for driver G.P. Minnucci timed in 1.14.1kr. Universale (2m Ganymede-Cannoniera-Diamond Way) secured second for Enrico Bellei at his lines and third went to Ubimajor Bi (2m Toss Out-Fidji Bi-Lemon Dra) driven by Roberto Vecchione.
The Gran Premio Anact Finale Filly (purse €50,600, 1600 meters autostart) went to Upper Dany (2f Conway Hall-Illusion Dany-Varenne) driven by Mario Minopoli Jr. clocked in 1.14.kr in this two-length score from Urgania (2f Cantab Hall-Damia-Malabar Man) handled by Roberto Andreghetti and Urra’Bi ended third for V .P. Dell’Annunziata.
Italian trotters have enjoyed a superb 2015 in the home country and elsewhere in Europe. As the Paris-Vincennes Winter Meet begins this week it will be worth watching to see if the Italian invaders continue excellent performance there. The October 28 featured Prix des Cevannes for €110,000 purse includes Nefertite del Rio (by Varenne) and a host of fast-class performers such as Spain’s Trebol plus Beckman, Olmo Holz, Juggle Face and Ustinof du Vivier.
Thomas H. Hicks