Preview: G1 Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur.
The G1 Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (1609m) is the biggest event of the year at Cagnes-sur-Mer and it concludes their Winter season. This autostart feature has seen plenty of international success with winning countries including Italy, Sweden and the USA plus more. Can Vivid Wise As gain a hat-trick in the race this year?...
Italian-trained Vivid Wise As has been successful in the event for the last two years and bids for a hat-trick. He won the G1 Prix d'Amérique Races Prix de France Speed Race (2100m) on his last start but is potentially even better tackling 1609m, achieving a career-best kilometre rating of 1'08"6 over course and distance in August 2019. A replication of that effort would see him beat the current the G1 Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (1609m) race record of 1'08"9, jointly held by Readily Express (2019) and Bold Eagle (2018).
Délia du Pommereux finished second in last year's renewal and showed a return to better form when filling the same position behind Vivid Wise As in the G1 Prix d'Amérique Races Prix de France Speed Race (2100m). She seemed to benefit from the shorter distance and can be competitive in conditions which suit. Last year's third Bahia Quesnot re-opposes. She has been in-and-out of form at this year's Vincennes Winter Meeting and produced one of her better efforts when third in the mounted G1 Prix de l'Ile de France (2175m). The eleven-year-old is capable of placing if running up to her best with four podiums from five outings over course and distance.
There is plenty of international interest in this year's G1 Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (1609m). Zacon Gio, who defeated Face Time Bourbon on two occasions, has returned to his native Italy after an unsuccessful Vincennes Winter Meeting with trainer Jean-Michel Bazire. Now under the care of Holger Klaus Ehlert, the seven-year-old won the G1 Gran Premio Lotteria Finale (1609m) in 2020 and makes his first visit to Cagnes-sur-Mer. Fellow Italian Vitruvio has plenty of experience over this distance. He placed third in the G1 Gran Premio Lotteria Finale (1609m) in October.
Norway is represented by G2 Prix d'Amérique Races Q5 – Prix de Bourgogne (2100m) winner Cokstile. He took the 2020 renewal of the G1 Elitloppet (1609m) at Solvalla in 2020 and is potentially better than recent runs over longer trips would suggest. His barefoot record in France would be a small concern (one win from six attempts).
Despite a wealth of international interest, France is represented by plenty of familiar faces. Sebastian Guarato's campaigner Billie de Montfort is expected imminently but has been given an opportunity to add to her enviable record. She has made the frame on over 50% of her ninety-five career starts in France and was not disgraced finishing third behind Cokstile in the G2 Prix d'Amérique Races Q5 – Prix de Bourgogne (2100m). Etonnant overturned champion Face Time Bourbon in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Races Q2 – Prix du Bourbonnais (2850m) and since finished runner-up in the G1 Prix Amerique Races Prix de Paris Marathon Race (4150m). He is yet to finish in the frame over this trip.
Arguably one of the most competitive renewals of the G1 Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (1609m) in recent years, it is hard to look past the record of Vivid Wise As. He comes into the contest in better form than his previous two victories after a win in the G1 Prix d'Amérique Races Prix de France Speed Race (2100m). Fellow internationals Zacon Gio and Cokstile have Group One winning form at this distance and could upset a Vivid Wise As attempt for a hat-trick if producing their best.
