The Grosser Preis von Bayern (2400m), the final Group 1 race of the European racing season, is scheduled to take place this Saturday (7 November) at Munich Racecourse in Germany. The meeting marks the final World Pool fixture of the European season, with Munich staging a total of five World Pool races. A strong field featuring top-class contenders from both overseas and the local ranks will line up for this renewal, though they will face a genuine test presented by the ground and prevailing weather conditions. While much of the European season has been characterized by dry conditions, the latest forecast predicts cooler, wetter weather in Munich. With the going likely to be affected by rain, stamina looks set to be the defining factor in determining the outcome.
Among the contenders, the Lambourn-trained Bay Bridge is the highest-rated runner in the field and holds a special place in the affections of trainer Sir Michael Stoute. Stoute noted that the horse was previously big and immature, but he has never hidden the high regard in which he holds him. Bay Bridge’s standout performance this year came in May in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (1990m Group 3) at Sandown, where he pushed the subsequent dual Group 1 winner Bay Bridge to a hard-fought battle to the line, ultimately going down by just a neck. Based on his track record, he is at his best on good or soft going. Reunited with jockey Richard Kingscote, he is poised to be the major threat to his nine rivals.
The overseas contingent also features two four-year-old fillies that cannot be overlooked—Poptronic and Melo Melo—both benefiting from the fillies’ weight allowance and hailing from top European stables. Poptronic, trained in Newmarket by Sir Mark Prescott, will be ridden by Sam James. She finished a gallant second behind Queenstown, beaten by only a narrow margin, in the Prix Royal-Oak (3100m Group 1) at Saint-Cloud late last month; provided she has sufficiently recovered from those grueling staying exertions, she should be a leading contender. Meanwhile, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Melo Melo, based in Chantilly, will have the services of Mickael Barzalona. While she may not match the caliber of her former stablemate Treve, a dual winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the connections’ decision to keep her in training confirms her genuine quality.
Leading the charge for the domestic German defense are India and Lordano. India is undisputedly one of the strongest older mares currently based in Germany, and she is expected to deliver another of her characteristically dependable performances. The Marcel Weiss-trained Lordano remains undefeated in four career starts, including an effortless victory when stepped up in class in a 2400m Group 3 at Baden-Baden last month. Partnered once again by Rene Piechulek, Lordano faces a stiffer test, but Weiss remarked that his preparation has gone smoothly and that both the Munich track and softer ground conditions will play to his strengths.
Earlier on the card, the World Pool 2yo (1600m) is highlighted by the Peter Schiergen-trained Geography, who boasts the best form heading into the contest. With Bauyrzhan Murzabayev retaining the ride, Geography will take on eleven opponents in a race where several top German trainers have declared runners with an eye on unveiling future stars.
The scheduled post times for the simulcast races are as follows: the World Pool 2yo (1600m), designated as S3-2, will jump at 8:50 pm Hong Kong time; the feature Grosser Preis von Bayern (2400m Group 1), designated as S3-5, is set to jump at 10:30 pm Hong Kong time.
Source: HKJC