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Group 3 Winners Face Off In Prix Anabaa

Fast Track Qualifiers
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28 February 2022

High-class sprinter Berneuil returns in the Prix Anabaa (2pm UK time) at Chantilly tomorrow, March 1, the second of two Fast-Track Qualifiers staged in France during this season’s All-Weather Championships.

 

Berneuil scored decisively over the same extended six furlongs at the course in 2020 and has subsequently excelled over five furlongs for Carlos Lerner, with his standout victory coming in the G3 Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp in September.

 

Fast Raaj captured the G3 Prix Djebel last season for Yann Barberot and has won two of his three starts on the All-Weather, most recently taking a conditions race over the course and distance in November.

 

Further Pattern race form is thrown into the mix by Andreas Schutz’s last-time-out Bordeaux winner Go Athletico, who defeated last season’s G1 Champion Stakes winner Sealiway in the G3 Prix la Rochette at Longchamp in 2020.

 

The Prix Anabaa has been used as a stepping-stone to Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships glory, with the Stephane Wattel-trained City Light winning both races in 2018.

 

Wattel is represented by All-Weather specialist Magic Vati, who is chasing a three-timer over the course and distance following handicap wins in January and February. 

 

Wattel said: “This is the first time that Magic Vati has met horses of this calibre but he is progressive and won a competitive handicap last time out, the form of which looks strong.

 

“On ratings it is going to be difficult for him to challenge Berneuil and Fast Raaj, although he comes here in 100 per cent condition, which could make a difference compared to the others.

 

“The idea is to see if he is good enough for the All-Weather finals. If he wins, he will definitely travel to England, and it could still be a possibility if he runs very well in defeat. He has to show me that he is still progressing and would be competitive otherwise he won’t travel.”

 

The Nicolas Caullery-trained King Gold also arrives on the back of a victory, having had G1 winner Marianafoot back in third when taking a conditions race over this distance at Cagnes-sur-Mer on February 11.

 

Dual winner Baileys Blues and Much Style, trained by Anne-Sophie Crombez and Uwe Schwinn respectively, complete the seven runners.

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