French Trotting - Review of Prix de l'Atlantique

Feature Race Review: G1 Prix de l'Atlantique.

Vivid Wise As prevailed to record back-to-back victories in Enghien's biggest event of the year, the G1 Prix de l'Atlantique (2150m) on Saturday.

Even though the sun was shining at Enghien, it was a wet track and the pace showed this as the drivers sensibly did not go flat out in the early stages. Callmethebreeze quickly went to the front when the mobile arms retracted and was chased by Etonnant. As they negotiated the first left-handed turn eventual winner, Vivid Wise As was caught three wide and settled towards the rear of the field. 

Down the home straight for the first time, Etonnant pressed on and took the lead whilst Matthieu Abrivard was making headway on Vivid Wise As to race in fourth with a circuit to go. Eventual third, Délia du Pommereux was also creeping closer to race in midfield. There were no more than five lengths off the leader with Etonnant increasing the tempo gradually.

Using good tactics, Matthieu Abrivard steered Vivid Wise As slightly off the inside toward a drier surface around the final turn and he took second, only one length off Etonnant. In the final 400m, Vivid Wise As found his best stride, securing the front. Having reached the lead he was unable to stretch further than one length, however the eight-year-old did manage to fend off closing rivals to gain a second successive G1 Prix de l'Atlantique (2150m), maintaining his excellent consistent profile.

This was a 27th career success for the son of Yankee Glide. The Italian raider was able to lead home the same placegetters as twelve months ago with Etonnant (second - despite a steward's enquiry investigating the number of galloped strides around the final turn) and Délia du Pommereux (third).