Mendocino Wins von Baden, Dettori Banned for 14 Days
Torquator Tasso will head to Paris and defend his Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) crown after a narrow defeat to Mendocino September 4 at the 52nd Wettstar Grosser Preis von Baden (G1).
Jockey @RenePiechulek knows how to beat Torquator Tasso, his regular racer, and that’s exactly what he did today at G1 Großer Preis von Baden with MENDOCINO. Ride G1 level. pic.twitter.com/CCZjAfGk8W
– Michael Adolphson (@AdolphsonRacing) September 4, 2022
In the agonizing 10 minutes, it looked like there would be no driver Frankie Dettori, whose six whip blows (once over the legal limit) seem to have cost him any ride in the game. Arc, let alone such a high hit.
Dettori left his audience with Baden-Baden managers believing he will miss Europe’s greatest race after a 14-day suspension, the news sent the normal Marcel Weiss, hurry up the stairs of the owner and trainer’s lounge to search for the Master of Torquator Tasso.
The first hint that order would be restored came from the manager’s secretary, soon followed by Dettori himself, who knew his suspension would last until Saturday of the Arc meeting passed. the good offices of former team 1 prize-winning equestrian Filip Minarik.
“I was wrong, today starts Sunday,” said a relieved Dettori, who would have missed the entire meeting in Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire anyway.
“We knew it was going to be a wrong run, that’s why I kicked at the 800 mark, to do such a race. It’s not his style. He needs face. The ground was soft and the horses stopped in front of them.
Dettori said: “(Torquator Tasso) had a foot turn with a good gallop but today the leg turn was straight. If we go to France, get soft ground and a strong race, we I would be in business, but today we went too slow – today he was not beaten far.”
“He’s not running that bad but he needs a race that suits his style, not one with four runners. I’ve done everything I can to make a race of it.”
153rd IDEE Winner Deutsches Derby (G1) Sammarco showed a good footwork in the regular run to sweep forward after the bend but was caught by both the winner and Torquator Tasso ahead of the line to take third.
The opportunity to ride the Torquator Tasso opened up because regular rider Rene Piechulek was retained by the 90-year-old Mendocino owner Hans-Gerd Wernicke.
With an entry in the Arc already right next to his name, Mendocino brought a trip to Paris much closer in taking down Torquator Tasso, a fact not lost on the runner-up’s connection.
Dettori’s post-race interview with the press featured Karl-Dietrich Ellebracke of Gestut Auenquelle, who asked about his rider: “What do you think of him?”
Dettori’s answer should reassure Ellebracke, who must have resigned without Piechulek on October 2.
“When we reach France with soft ground and strong speed, we will be in business. If Rene’s horse runs, I am free and we are done” Dettori, the two men finished with one. shake hands.
Although the difference between winning and losing in the prep race was only a 1st place, Paddy Power helped Torquator Tasso take down Torquator Tasso 10-1 (from 13-2) for Arc.
For Weiss, the test will be how his lifelong horse reacts to such a tough race as he returns to the pitch at Mullheim in the near-sure race build-up. will be his last race.
This is definitely Mendocino’s best career, coming in second last year Alpinista the golden thread through all forms of the center of the German team.