French Trotting News - Prix Rene-Balliere

There are few superlatives left to describe Face Time Bourbon as he strolled to a 31st career triumph and fourteenth G1 victory, effortlessly going back-to-back in the Prix Rene Balliere for trainer Sebastien Guarato. 

The dual G1 Prix d'Amerique (2700m) winner was left with a straightforward task after main danger Davidson du Pont (Pacha du Pont) broke stride at the halfway point. Eric Raffin sent the heavy favourite into the lead rounding for home, displaying a push-button acceleration to stretchaway from his field in breathtaking style. In the home straight the driver saluted the crowd who looked on in amazement at the way the champion eased to success in a track record kilometre time of 1'09"1. 

Detroit Castelets finished the race off well for second with the progressive Violetto Jet third, though they were a long way behind the easy winner. Face Time Bourbon is undoubtedly the horse of a lifetime. He may head to Mons for the G1 Grand Prix de Wallonie (2300m) prior to racing in the G1 Grand Prix de la Loterie (1600m) at Naples thereafter.

Ibra du Loisir produced a career best by some margin to register a shock victory in the three-year-old mounted final for Laurent-Claude Abrivard. He won in a record kilometre time of 1'11"8 wearing pads for the first time. The small but select field was narrowed further when the quietly fancied Ideale du Chene and an outsider were disqualified early for galloping. 

Alexandre Abrivard settled the three-year-old colt in midfield behind a fast tempo set by Prix Auriga (2700m) winner Indigo du Poret (Dollar Macker) and Inoui Danica (Boccador de Simm), who scored in the G2 Prix Hemine (2175m) last time. The rider capitalised on the searching pace and moved easily to the lead around the final bend putting the race to bed in a matter of strides. 

The son of Booster Winner, who was a three-time G1 mounted winner at Vincennes over this 2175m trip, has inherited his father's impressive turn of foot. There is a fair way to go to emulate his success but should not be underestimated granted a strong pace to aim at in future G1engagements. Time will tell whether this was a one-off performance. 

Italiano Vero continued to uphold his impressive progressive career profile when landing the summer three-year old driven final at Vincennes on Sunday. The consistent colt enhanced the quality of success that Ready Cash is enjoying with the sire gaining a one-two in this Group One as well as Face Time Bourbon later in the afternoon. 

The Philippe Allaire three-year-old adopted second position in the early stages, behind pace setter It's Now or Never. However, David Thomain forced an increased pace going to the front when passing the stands. The field were stretched out in almost single file with Italiano Vero setting a strong tempo throughout. 

As they raced along the back straight, the winner kept a length and a half advantage and was unchallenged for the lead until 700m to go when the field bunched up. Impressionist was always doing the chasing especially when Italiano Vero went through the gears and accelerated away around the final turn. 

Many horses appeared to have chances when entering the home straight, though it was Italiano Vero and Impressionist who would dominate the final stages. Impressionist produced a sustained effort passing the long-time leader however, the former managed to keep this fellow son of Ready Cash behind when showing true class to win cosily. 

It is ten months since he made this debut at Laval when not even finishing. The Philippe Allaire owned and trained colt has shown plenty of progression with each outing however. After two DQ's he managed a first win when beating Impressionist for a first time at Enghien last October. 

Improvement was quick as he racked up a five-timer with three coming at the Vincennes Winter Meeting culminating in the G2 Prix Emmanuel Margouty (2175m) on Boxing Day.  

This year did not start well for the three-year old when disqualified, but he bounced back to show consistency once more this season with three victories and a further two placings, all in Group company. Italiano Vero is name to keep in mind and with further progress likely, could star in future Group one events.