Hope and Believe makes owners' association rejoice - Impressive victory in the

Owners' syndicates are indispensable for the future of racing and have been extremely successful in recent times. In the Tattersalls Diana-Trial (Listed race, €25,000, 1,800 m), the highlight of the supporting programme on Saturday, the second day of the spring meeting at the racecourse in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, there was once again collective jubilation. Because in this important preparatory race for the Henkel - Preis der Diana at the beginning of August in Düsseldorf, the three-year-old mare Hope and Believe triumphed, a lady who belongs to the five-strong group of the Route 66 and Partner 3.0 stables. Turf enthusiasts from the Harz, Bremen and Munich are involved in the Make Believe daughter, who was selected by one of her owners and purchased for 5,000 euros at an auction.

Hope and Believe wins the Tattersalls Diana-Trial © Marc Rühl

After her top debut in Berlin-Hoppegarten, the 7.5:1 chance defended her clean slate as she developed by far the biggest reserves under Eduardo Pedroza and prevailed by three and a quarter lengths over Sunshine Girl and St Elvira.

Hamburg in her sights?
‘I gave her time in the race, but she made a great start in the straight,’ reported Hope and Believes jockey Eduardo Pedroza. Trainer Andreas Wöhler, who scored his third win at the meeting, said: ‘I had no concerns about the ground conditions. She has improved a lot. We will discuss the further route in peace.’ Several destinations in Hamburg are currently still on the agenda.

Sunshine Girl recently moved up to second place. ‘I'm very happy, especially as good ground would have been even better for her,’ admitted owner Klaus Hofmann. St Elvira was always in the mix in third place and also went as fast as the winner. ‘The race was a bit bumpy, but her jockey handled it well. She was a little early in front, but we are super happy,’ assured trainer Andreas Suborics. The highly-rated Noble Breath had to cope with an upset in fourth place before the straight. Liefland did not make a decisive start.

Weißmeier trio dominates the BBAG Juvenile Prize
The first race for the two-year-old youngsters, the BBAG Jugendpreis, was organised under the motto - trainer Marian Xaver Weißmeier, who had entered three of the four starters, against the ‘rest of the world’.

In the €10,000 1,000 metre test, the three candidates from the Weißmeier quarters in Krefeld ultimately settled the matter between themselves, with Kiss me Honey (H. Boutin, odds 3.2:1) surprisingly developing the greater reserves against the favourite Mon Schatzi.

Marian Falk Weißmeier in a first comment: ‘Kiss me Honey has certainly solved the task. But the two stallions also ran well. With Kiss me Honey we want to head for a big auction race after an intermediate stage.’

Iffezheim almost scored in the opening class (level IV, 2,200 m), but La Montanara (trainer Gordan Batistic) and Santino Corleone (trainer Gerald Geisler) ultimately had to settle for second and third place behind The Hype (4:1, A. de Vries), who had been saddled by Mülheim-based coach Axel Kleinkorres.

After four victories, Schael's great run of success came to an end in a 2,200 metre level III when he only finished fourth behind the superior Dresden guest Lazzaro (M. Seidl, 4.8:1) from Stefan Richter's stable as well as Norton and Gamine. The four-horse bet paid 1,387.5:1 euros.

Former group winner returns to winning ways
Stall Salzburg's Quest the Moon (odds of 9.2:1) returned to winning ways in a 2,000 metre equaliser I (20,000 euros). The former Group winner, sent out by Sarah Steinberg from Munich, fought off Wiesentau and Downtown in this top handicap. Winning jockey Rene Piechulek: ‘An unbelievable horse that always delivers. The fast pace was just to his liking. And he can fight like no other.’

After the final level II over 1,400 metres, the long journey for Jack O'Boy (4.4:1) from Gina Rarick's stables in Lamorlaye/France was more than worth it. With Hugo Boutin in the saddle, the seven-year-old gelding left the competition standing. His owner is Susanne Born, the press officer of the Berlin-Hoppegarten racecourse. Al Hitmi, Lucia Aratori and Grey Sparkle completed the four-horse bet, which brought 1003.9:1 euros. The V4 bet was hit this time - odds: 1,927.2:1 euros.

The betting turnover on a very rainy race day totalled 591,856.19 euros for the nine races.

Crowning finale on Sunday
The crowning final day of the spring meeting will take place on Sunday, 2 June, with eleven races around the Grand Prix of the Baden Industry (Group II, €70,000, 2,200 m) in Iffezheim.

Source: Baden Galopp