Grand Criterium de Vitesse de la Cote-d'Azur will be held at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Sunday.
The biggest fixture of the year at Cagnes-sur-Mer will be held on Sunday - the driven autostart sprint of the year – the Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte-d'Azur (G1) over 1609m. We look ahead to this year's renewal…
Frisbee d'Am
Eight-year-old who is yet to win behind the mobile and recent form has been below par including a seventh after a year break in the Prix Pierre Desire Allaire (G3 walk-up) at this track last month. Now second up for this campaign so has fitness on side and may improve.
Charmant de Zack
Five-year-old Italian raider who has had seven starts in France and is the youngest runner in the line-up. Nine-time winner in Italy with plenty of those wins coming behind the mobile. Showed plenty of ability attempting Swc 5 Ans Finale - Prix Bold Eagle (G1 Walk-up) on Prix d'Amerique day at Vincennes when a close fourth last time. Can build on that effort retuning to autostart racing and look interesting for a stable which have had recent success in recent renewals with Vivid Wise As.
Gently de Muze
Unbeaten at this venue (two from two) after a pair of walk-up victories in G3 company last month and looks a highly interesting candidate for the Jean-Michel Bazire yard. Returns behind the mobile in form and holds a fair autostart record of three wins and one placing from seven attempts. Last years Grand National du Trot Final winner (G2) has each-way claims.
Moni Viking
Ten-year-old veteran who is a sixteen-time career winner who now makes a first visit to Cagnes-sur-Mer. Strong third in the 2021 Prix de Paris Marathon Race (G1 Walk-up) at Vincennes and mixed French form since. Finished eleventh of sixteen in this year's Prix d'Amerique Legend Race (G1 Walk-up) last time. Would need to be at best.
Vernissage Grif
Unexposed French profile but this Italian raider is a nine-year-old who has posted 34 wins in his career and 26 placings from 113 outings. Won the highly valuable Gran Premio Lotteria Final at Naples (Italy) last October behind the mobile beating Vivid Wise As. On that form makes appeal but he has been disqualified on last two starts in Classic races at Vincennes.
Delia du Pommereux
Still going strong at the age of ten this mare is one of two ten-year-olds in the line-up. On New Year's Day she found success in the 2100m Prix d'Amerique Races Q5 (G2 Autostart). Mixed efforts since but ran well when a solid fourth last time contesting the Prix de France Speed Race (G1 Autostart) at Vincennes. Second in this race in 2021 and could feature once again. Shorter races suit.
Vivid Wise As
Likely to prove hard to beat for his Italian connections after two victories in this feature race in 2020 and 2021. Great second last year when narrowly defeated by Étonnant who is currently side-lined. The pair produced thrilling finishes and fantastic duels last year in feature sprint races around Europe with this son of Yankee Glide coming out on top in the Prix de l'Atlantique (G1 Autostart) at Enghien, Prix René Ballière (G1 Autostart) at Vincennes, Grand Prix du Département des Alpes-Maritimes (G2 Autostart) here last August along with wins at Milan and Naples (Italy). Excellent second last time out tackling the Prix de France Speed Race (G1 Autostart) at Vincennes beaten only a nose. The one to beat again.
Blackflash Bar
Lightly raced six-year-old mare in France with only three runs but is a eleven time winner in native Italy. Last success came back in November 2021 and recent efforts have been mixed. Would need a step forward.
Go On Boy
Last time out winner in Class B company at Vincennes last month but holds an amazing course record of seven victories from nine starts. Rates an interesting runner if showing best as he also holds a fair mobile record.
Vaprio
Top-class mounted performer at the age of nine for Italian connections. Strong run last month when second in the Prix de l'Ile-de-France (G1 Mounted Walk-up) at Vincennes before a disappointment at Milan (Italy) two weeks ago. Holds smart form behind the mobile with the latest triumph four runs ago in December over this trip.
Emeraude de Bais
Consistent nine-year-old mare who is a sixteen-time career winner from 84 starts. Previous course victor and is a last start winner in the Prix du Plateau de Gravelle (G3 Autostart) at Vincennes last weekend. Holds a fair mobile record but this will be a tough test.
