| Qualification race will bring the Velka Pardubicka into focus | |
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All leading Czech-trained cross-country chasers have been prepared single-mindedly for the last 10 months for the big race on Sunday October 9th. On Saturday August 20th at Pardubice we can expect to see how the preparations are coming along. There are 11 declared runners for the qualification race, the Dostihovy Klub Grand Prix, nine of which are serious contenders for the VP. 2009 and 2010 VP winner, Tiumen, will be ridden by Josef Vana snr. In their one earlier run this year, in the Dasice Brewery Chase - Premio San Rossore Pisa Chase at Pardubice on July 2nd, this combination went well until Toumen's saddle slipped and his rider did not push him into the last fence. The first three in a very tight finish in this race will all be in the field. Wrbna Racing's Klaus has won both of his races this year, but is not (yet) entered for this year's VP. He is being targeted for future years, but a good performance on Saturday could lead to a supplementary entry. On July 2nd, he narrowly beat Bremen Plan and Zulejka. Both of these could be VP horses. Caland won the June qualification race, but is considered the Vana stable's third choice for this race. The stable's second choice is Sixteen, winner of the VP in 2007 and 2008, and placed in 2009 and 2010. In two runs ealier this season, she did not show much. Aspirant was a well-beaten third in the May qualification race, his only run so far this year. Owner Jiri Charvat has moved him to Jiri Janda's stable, and he is to be ridden by Julien Lemee, a leading Swiss-based rider. This will be his first ride at Pardubice. According to the Czech-language pages of Paddock Revue, Jan Raja worked with him in Switzerland and made him want to try Pardubice racecourse. Aspirant's new stablemate Teviot has not run since VP 2010, where he ran very well to finish fifth. Teviot, Klaus, Zulejka and Korinka, have not yet qualified for the VP by successfully completing the course in an eligible race. Neither has 2010 VP runner-up Amant Gris. His two outings this year, at Pardubice and at Albertovec, have both been very disappointing. Flambion was third in the June qualification race, quite a long way behind Caland. Korinka has three times won the Velka Benesovska. These are two decent chasers, but are unlikely to be engaged in the finish this weekend. It has become normal practice for VP contenders to be raced, or rather warmed up, very sparingly on the course. Most of the runners on Saturday will be having their first more or less earnest race of the season. After a very wet summer the ground will probably be quite soft, and we can hope to see a good contest. There are nine races on the card on Saturday, and at least 9 horses are declared to run in each of the races. The well-named SECA and Mr Bujnoch Prize, Category II, also features some VP hopefuls, most notably Chenonceau, Lirain and Karlsbad, all of which have already qualified for the VP. The first race on Saturday August 20th is at 1 pm. |