GRAND CRITERIUM DE VITESSE DE LA CÔTE D'AZUR
The Winter Meeting has come to an end. Fortunately, that doesn't mean we have to wait long for great races to come around again. This Sunday, a Grade 1 race will be held on the coast of Cagnes-sur-Mer.
This race has been used as a build-up for the prestigious Elitloppet for several years now. The winner might even receive an invite for this year's edition of the Elitloppet.
Some incredible horses will line up to try and snatch the trophy away. Below, you'll find a detailed description and form diagnosis of all the starters.
AUTO START - 1609M - GRADE 1
Go On Boy - R. Derieux
The obvious and logical favorite in this sprint race. He's just concluded a beautiful winter season, finishing it off with a tremendous victory in the Grade 1 Prix de France. He started off easy but took the lead after 800 meters and stormed home in a convincing 1'10''1 over 2100m. Victory was never really in doubt. He's shown incredible versatility, and his closing speed is one of his strongest feats.
I do worry about his gate speed and the possibility of getting locked in. Go On Boy has never been particularly fast or strong out of the gate, which could cause some problems with starting from post 1. However, if he manages to find a gap, he should be able to race down and beat all the horses in this field.
Alrajah One - G. Gelormini
Alrajah One has returned to Italy after an astonishing campaign in the United States, where he won multiple races, including the John Cashman Memorial and the Maple Leaf Trot.
He has had some light preparations in Italy, allowing him to regain his strength and form. Alrajah One has been one of the best Italian horses for several years and could impress here— if he has recovered well from his time in the U.S. and regained peak condition. This is of course a question mark for horses that have raced overseas for an extended period of time.
Alrajah One is fast and furious. He will likely start quickly and try to hold on for as long as possible. However, he may face significant pressure from horses on his outside, making for an exciting first 500 meters.
Depending on his form, he is definitely one to watch. Driver G. Gelormini is also a name to keep an eye on in big races.
Emeraude de Bais in front of Go On Boy in the Grand Prix du Département des Alpes-Maritimes at Cagnes-sur-Mer in August 2024 Emeraude de Bais - F. Nivard I think it's fair to call her the queen of trot among active mares in harness racing.
Emeraude de Bais, now 11 years old, continues to deliver time and time again. Her last victory dates back to October 23, 2024, when she won the Grand Prix du Sud-Ouest at Agen. After that, she had a solid winter meeting, finishing second in the Prix de Bourbonnais and fourth in the Prix de France.
Earlier this week, she raced at Agen in what appeared to be a preparation race, though she unfortunately broke stride. However, trainer B. Goetz remains highly confident in his mare.
Emeraude de Bais has the ability to start and finish fast, which could give her the upper hand in this race. She might challenge Alrajah One for the lead and attempt to go all the way. If not, she will undoubtedly rely on her speed to chase down her opponents in the long final stretch at Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Her trusted driver is F. Nivard.
Ampia Mede SM - V. D'Alessandro Jr. Ampia Mede SM has unfortunately lost touch with her prime and her ability to compete against the best. After an incredible 2023 campaign, she has struggled, changing trainers twice. Many argue that she should retire and enjoy motherhood.
Now considered a longshot, she is unlikely to compete for the top placings. However, if she gets the perfect trip, her closing speed could still earn her a respectable finish.
Edy Girifalco Gio - S. Mollo Another outsider in this field, Edy Girifalco Gio is a strong performer in Italy but has struggled in France so far. However, all his races in France have been at the tricky Vincennes track, so a change of scenery and a flatter track might work in his favor.
Although he is quick, I don't see him posing a real threat to the favorites in this field.
Etonnant - A. Barrier The 2022 Elitloppet winner is back! After months of health issues and working to regain his form and strength, trainer R. Westerink believes Etonnant is ready to compete again. Now 11 years old, questions remain about his ability to fully recover and reach the level needed to perform well in this race.
Trainer R. Westerink remains optimistic, and Etonnant will once again be paired with A. Barrier for the first time in 15 months (!). This duo has been incredibly successful in the past and know each other inside out, which could be a key advantage for Etonnant’s performance.
Predicting how Etonnant will race is incredibly difficult. If he is remotely close to his old form he is dangerous to all competitors. However, he should still be considered an outsider, as his true condition will only become clear during the race.
His starting number suits him well, and he can handle all types of race scenarios.
Etonnant won this race in 2022 from post 6, noting a 1'09''9 over 1609m Vernissage Grif - A. Gocciadoro The 2024 champion is back to defend his title!
After his dominant victory last year—leading from start to finish and clocking an incredible 1'08''1 over 1609m—Vernissage Grif has struggled to impress. Following several appearances in big races without notable results, he took a six-month break, making this his first race since October 2024. While this suggests his form may not be at its peak, he should never be underestimated.
Vernissage Grif thrives on the South French coast and clearly loves this track, often excelling here even when struggling elsewhere.
Starting from post 7 is not ideal, as he prefers to race at the front. While there are question marks about his form, he remains a contender to watch—a top-four finish is certainly within reach.
Fakir Merite - N. Ensch A long-distance specialist taking a shot at the sprint. Fakir Merite has rarely raced over anything shorter than 2500 meters in his career, but trainer N. Ensch has decided it’s time to try something new with the 10-year-old.
N. Ensch is a regular winner at Cagnes-sur-Mer, consistently securing top finishes. That alone suggests we could be in for a surprise result here. However, Fakir Merite has not been in his best form lately and may struggle with the shorter distance. On the other hand, the change might suit him, potentially giving him a much-needed confidence boost.
An outsider, but definitely an interesting one to watch.
Great of Madrik - CH. Martens
The Dutch-trained and owned Great Madrik will try his luck from post 9, the first spot in the second row behind the gate, meaning he’ll line up behind Go On Boy.
Although he will start as one of the outsiders, trainer H. Grift is known for preparing his horses well for big races. He hasn’t raced over shorter distances in a while, which could work in his favor by offering a change of pace. He is also no stranger to Cagnes-sur-Mer, which might give him an edge.
Dylan Dog Font - Th. Briand Another Italian contender looking to test his luck on French soil. Dylan Dog Font has raced at Vincennes before but has never competed on flat tracks like Cagnes-sur-Mer.
He arrives in great form, having collected wins and placings in Italy. However, success at home doesn’t necessarily mean he can compete for top placings in France—especially from post 10.
Unlikely to challenge the favorites here.
Dali Prav - R. Legati Like Dylan Dog Font, Dali Prav is here to represent Italy and has frequently raced against him back home. The two seem to be closely matched, often competing against each other.
While Dali Prav is in good form, he is not expected to challenge for the top placings in this race.
Knockonwood - D. Bekaert Knockonwood is a bit of a wild card, known for being unpredictable. He has a tendency to make mistakes and get disqualified, making him a risky competitor to rely on.
His current form doesn’t seem promising either, placing him among the bigger outsiders in this field. If he stays focused and avoids errors, he has the class to finish somewhere in the front or mid-pack—but that’s a tough gamble to make.
Favourites: - Go On Boy - Emeraude de Bais
Contenders:
- Alrajah One
- Vernissage Grif
Outsiders:
- Etonnant
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