November 25, 2018 – The 3/10 favorite Swedishman (12g Gogo-Volgana) won Sunday’s Swiss Champions Race (purse 17,140€, 2350 meters autostart, five starters) at Avenches, with Mme. Patricia Felber driving for harness racing owner Carlo Pavone. Swedishman recorded his 37th career victory in 106 starts, now for 1,283,861€ earned. 10/1 Tabrouk de Payre (11g Meaulnes du Corta) was second for Marc-Andre Bovay and 33/1 Topo du Moulinet (11g Maze de la Merite) was third with Andre Bartschi aboard.
At Martinique Madinina was the Prix des Manguiers (purse 5,000€, 2800 meters voltstart distance handicapped, on the turf) and the 25 meter handicapped Unoki (10g Meaulnes du Corta-Madrine) prevailed for owner/trainer/driver Christine Lebreton. The 1.23.2kr timed winner recorded his 16th career win now for 88,590€ earned. Usein Royal (10g Lilium Madrik) overcame a 25 meter penalty to be second for Jean Francois Gate and owner/trainer Lebreton, ahead of 50 meter handicapped Vlatou des Salines (9g Magnificent Rodney) driven by J.L. Langeron
On the trots portion of the Martinique card was also the Prix des Bananiers (purse 5,000€, 3800 meters distance handicap, voltstart, turf course) and after dq of Avis Contraire, Argan de Vandel (8g Look de Star) was placed first with Hubert Jay aboard for owner/trainer Corinne Gleize. The 25 meter penalized Bavarois du Varlet (7g Laetenter Diem) was placed second with Jean Luc Langeron up for owner/trainer Gleize, and Cytise de Nuet was placed third with J.F. Gate up. Race time was 1.26.6kr on the turf.
The first elim today of the Premio Mipaaft Allevamento (purse 16,500€, 2100 meters autostart) was the first of two at Napoli Agnano. The 1.15.1kr timed winner was Axl Rose (2m Love You-Linda di Casei-Uronometro-Comtesse Ferm-Diamond Way) reined by trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro. The winner’s dam was an international star that won 706,120€. Atomina FAS (2f Varenne-Leda SF-Toss Out) was second for G.P. Minnucci and third to the line was Antony Leone (2m Libeccio Grif-Gisping Ferm-Lemon Dra).
The second elim today of the Premio Mipaaft (purse 16,500€, 2250 meters autostart) went to 1.16kr timed Granon Vedaquais (2m Brillantissime-Sestriere-Cezio Josseln) reined by Andrea Guzzinati for trainer Philippe Allaire. This colt was away on the lead and extended it with every stride. Adel dai Veltri (2f Pascia’Lest-Iman dei Veltri-Sugarcane Hanover) was second for Santo Mollo ahead of third finishing Erita Roc (2f Filipp Roc-OK Roc-Pine Chip).
Thomas H Hicks