RACE 1: PRIX UN HIPPOWEEN SIGNE AGATHA CHRISTIE MAIDEN STAKES (3YO) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 1) – 2400M | TIME: 19:08 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 20100
TOO DARN QUICK Threatening to win and was runner-up in a Maiden at Senonnes-Pouance over 2000m on 19 September. Has not finished far off the winner of late and trying 2400m now. Has the perfect opportunity to shed maiden. NITRO PRECIEUSE (FR) Finished fourth in a Class 2 at Saint-Cloud over 2400m on 14 October. Promising debut run and there should be more to come. SOUDYA (FR) Excellent runner-up in a Maiden at Dieppe over 2400m on 9 July. Was beaten 3.5 lengths but the winner has gone on to score again so should be in the mix. JANNET Fourth in a Maiden at Compiegne over 2800m on 15 September. Disappointed on penultimate start but came back well enough over a distance too far so should be competitive.
RACE 2: PRIX ZOO DE JURQUES HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 2) – 1400M | TIME: 19:43 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 17300
IRIDIA (GER) Threatening to win and was runner-up in a Class 4 Handicap at Compiegne over 1400m on 9 October. Was narrowly beaten and now has the perfect opportunity to get off the mark. EYWA (FR) Ran seventh in a Class 4 Handicap at Compiegne over 1400m on 9 October. Will be racing off lowest rating yet and at the weights must have a lively chance. POLO BABY (FR) Successful in a Class 4 Handicap at Compiegne over 1400m on 9 October. Beat IRIDIA (6) last time and can confirm that form at the weights if fit enough. REDRUNNER (FR) Fourth in a Class 4 Handicap at Compiegne over 1400m on 9 October. Also comes out of the same form line and that puts her into the reckoning.
RACE 3: PX DU JEU DU JUST EQUILIBRE 2026 AC LOGO B-PX A.LEQUEUX STAKES (4YO+) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 3) – 1800M | TIME: 20:18 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 16500
CLIMATE CHANGE (FR) Finished third in a Class 3 at Deauville over 1800m on 5 October. Made a promising comeback on the sand and has proven form at this course. Winning claims. ASTROP ARK (IRE) Outclassed the opposition in a Maiden at Fontainebleau over 2600m on 11 April. A convincing 2.5-length winner in that debut and is one to watch on return. POSCHIAVO (FR) Unplaced in a Class 1 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 1600m on 3 October. Did meet a strong field on that occasion and should not be written off. SERENISSIMUS (FR) Came home ninth in a Class 1 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 2000m on 4 October. Has had no luck with draws recently and that could bother but does need to be considered.
RACE 4: PRIX LA GRANDE RECRE TOUQUES HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 4) – 2200M | TIME: 20:53 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 13500
VESINABA (FR) Showed some improvement when an excellent runner-up in a Class 3 Handicap at Saint-Cloud over 2400m on 25 September. Can go one place better. BECH RIVER (IRE) Threatening to score and was runner-up in a Class 4 Handicap at Saint-Cloud over 2000m on 14 October. Should be very competitive yet again. RIVER DAVEN (FR) Finished seventh in a Class 4 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 7 October. Likely to do better back on the grass and must be respected in this line-up. ANNA MANDARA (FR) Returned to form and finished third in a Class 3 H andicap at Saint- Cloud over 2400m on 25 September. Can get into the mix of things.
RACE 5: PRIX CLOTURE DU MEETING 2026 HIPPIPIK HOURRA ! HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 5) – 2200M | TIME: 21:28 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 14400
BELLA CIAO (FR) Fifth in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800 m on 7 October and consistent efforts before that. Player. STORMY NIGHT (FR) Finished eleventh in a Class 4 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 2400m on 13 October. Has dropped in the handicap and a better performance can be expected. AL SKA (FR) Ran sixth in a Class 4 Handicap at Les Sables D’Olonne over 2000m on 13 October. One to pay attention to each-way. LHASA (IRE) Recent success in a Class 4 Handicap at Argentan over 1800m on 1 October and a win before that. Seeking a hat -trick and can be involved.
RACE 6: PRIX DEAUVILLE AVENTURE HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 6) – 2200M | TIME: 22:03 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 19200
SCAT LADY (FR) Finished fourth in a Class 4 Handicap at Vichy over 2400m on 22 September. Can play a lead role. PRINCESS KARA (FR) Came home fifth in a Class 3 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 2400m on 13 October. Ought to be in the shake-up having won over track and trip last year. HANDHY (FR) Victorious in a Class 4 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 2400m on 13 October and a win before that. Hat-trick of wins is not out of the question. BLOWN BY THE WIND (FR) Successful in a Class 4 at Saint Brieuc over 1700m on 4 October. Seemed suited by front running tactics last time and can be dangerous if allowed a soft lead.
RACE 7: PRIX JOUEURZ BY LOISIRS NORMANDIE HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 7) – 1600M | TIME: 22:38 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 18200
TOMOE GOZEN (FR) Threatening to win and was runner-up in a Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 15 October. Looks ready to score. RAGE CHOPE (FR) In good form and finished third in a Handicap at Compiegne over 1600m on 24 September. Can play a lead role. EXCESSIVE (FR) Came home fourth in a Handicap at Le Mans over 1600m on 5 October. One to pay close attention to. TANA MA (FR) Finished fifth in a Handicap at Deauville over 1200m on 30 August and second before that. Can make presence felt.
RACE 8: PX AGATHA CHRISTIE, LA REINE DU CRIME BY LE MASQUE HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 8) – 1600M | TIME: 23:13 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 20200
PROTAGONIST (GER) Fourth in a Maiden at Compiegne over 1400m on 9 October. Will be sharper for the recent run and can feature. GRECIAN CONQUEST (IRE) Recent fifth at ParisLongchamp in a Handicap over 1600m on 13 September. Lightly raced and has more to come. FILLETTE DU HOULEY (FR) Has been fourth on last three runs, the latter over 1600m at Compiegne in a Handicap on 24 September. Player. PIYANGO (FR) Fourth in a Class 3 at Compiegne over 1800m on 15 September and several placed runs this year. Hard to rule out.
RACE 9: PRIX LA VILLA DU TEMPS RETROUVE – CABOURG HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM CLAIREFONTAINE RACE 9) – 2200M | TIME: 23:48 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 21100
ATHINEOS (FR) Finished seventh in a Class 3 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 2400m on 13 October when last seen. Slightly unlucky in transit last time and can make amends. LE ROI LEON (FR) Fifth in a Class 3 Handicap at Saint-Cloud over 2400m on 25 September. Can be on the premises. SIM CARD (FR) Fifth in a Class 2 Handicap at ParisLongchamp over 2000m on 13 September and consistent efforts before that. Hard to discount. SWIFT FLIGHT (FR) Unplaced in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1600m on 23 September. Reasonably well-handicapped and enters calculations.
Zac Purton is confident Ka Ying Rising has the speed and versatility to overcome barrier 11 in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$109.5 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia on Saturday (17 October).
Chasing his second consecutive victory in the world’s richest turf race after steering Ka Ying Rising to a facile success in last season’s running, Purton is less concerned by gate 11 than the prospect of a slow to heavy track.
The nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey agrees with the speed map consensus that has Bjorn Baker’s speedy three-year-old filly Blue Door leading from barrier nine, a scenario which would potentially allow Ka Ying Rising to angle towards the rail from the start and settle in a prominent situation.
“I don’t think the barrier is too bad. The leader of the race (Blue Door) is drawn just inside us, so hopefully we can just slide across with her and the way the weather is, the inside of the track might not be the place to be. It might end up helping us,” Purton said.
Baker confirmed Blue Door will be ridden for speed.
“We won’t change anything with her. She’s a very fast filly so we’ll play to our strengths,” Baker said.
