classic trials at Maisons-Laffitte

the 3yo season starts in earnest today with two important classic trials at Maisons-Laffitte. Star of the show is undoubtedly Special Duty (Criquette Head-Maarek/ Stephane Pasquier), who is currently hot favourite for the 1,000 Guineas after an excellent 2yo campaign, and runs in the Prix Imprudence at 15.10. She is racing over 7 furlongs for the first time, but that is expected to be less of a problem that the testing going, much softer than anything she has encountered before. The main opposition is expected to come from ex-Italian Joanna (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Soumillon) and Lixirova (David Smaga/ Gregory Benoist), who is owned by Omar Sharif. The race for colts, the Prix Djebel at 14.35, looks trickier, but Rouget has a strong hand here with Boltcity (Soumillon) and Silver Black (Ioritz Mendizabal) and one of them will probably win.
There are also some German-trained runners on the undercard. Werner Baltromei saddles two 3yo maidens over 2100 metres, Sommertraum (Antony Crastus) in the colts race at 16.20 and Pommes de Paradis (Dominique Boeuf) in the fillies event half an hour later. Both need to step up on what they have shown so far, but the latter is probably capable of considerable improvement. Hans Walter Hiller saddles Electric Roi in the 1200 metres tiercé handicap at 13 .35; at his best he would have a good chance off this weight, although recent results have shown that German runners are currently at a disadvantage in France as a result of the long winter.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Psy Chic - Johanan - Skyteam
2. Race: Flower Bag - Pralin Bay - Coco Finger
3. Race: Boltcity - Ricci - Makfi
4. Race: Special Duty - Joanna - Wonderfilly
5. Race: Fuisse - Byword - Capitaine Courage
6. Race: Celtus - Battlecat - Flight Tune
7. Race: Soul Friend - Ma Coeur - Bertie`S Best
8. Race: Diable de Jim - Polish Rings - Ciboney Moon
9. Race: Shine For Me - Roi Bere - Chikablue