3 Group Races with German runners at Maisons-Laffitte

One of the last big flat race meetings of the season in France today, when Maisons-Laffitte stages three group races, including the valuable Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 15.20. Only 5 runners, which means that all of them will receive prize-money, with over 6,600 euros going to the fifth- and last-placed runner. Mario Hofer´s Smooth Operator (Andreas Helfenbein) is thus certain to cover his costs, but in fact should do much better as he has won his last 2 races (at Baden-Baden and Chantilly) in good style. Main dangers should be the Aga Khan´s Dalghar, an easy CD winner last time, and Italian-trained Lui Rei. Hofer and Helfenbein should also go close with Mood Music in the Group Three Prix de Seine-et-Oise, also over 6 furlongs, half an hour later. Main opposition to Mood Music, who won at the recent Baden-Baden Sales & Racing Festival, should come from British challenger Utmost Respect (Richard Fahey/ Pal Hanagan) , a specialist for heavy ground , and Tiza (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Christophe Soumillon), but Werner Baltromei´s Etoile Nocturne (Dominique Boeuf), who showed much improved form at Cologne last time, could also run well at a big price. The Prix Miesque for 2yo fillies over 1400 metres at 14.20 also has a fancied German runner at the start, Peter Schiergen´s Novita (Andrasch Starke), who defeated the smart New Vision last time out at Düsseldorf. He faces two recent CD winners in Blue Fiji and Stefer. Another German-trained runner on the card is Conny Brandstätter´s Weardi (Alxo Badel), who faces 18 opponents in the 3000 metres handicap at 16.50.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Rachmaninov - Beauvoisin - Mistaken Identity
2.Race: Sunrise Spirit - Observateur - Milongo
3.Race: Stefer - Blue Fiji - Denomination
4.Race: Arakawa - Guerande - French Charm
5.Race: Lui Rei - Smooth Operator - Dalghar
6.Race: Rock Harmonie - Belliflore - Dunkerque
7.Race: Palampur - Belle Berbere - Talima
8.Race: Rue De Lappe - Smart One - Once Upon A Cat