Quinindo goes for Group One glory at Saint-Cloud

the Criterium de Saint-Cloud at 14.05 CET is the last Group One of the European season and is a race for 2yo´s over the long distance of 2000 metres. Stamina will be especially important today as the going will be very heavy. German runners have a good record here and Quinindo (Andreas Wöhler/ Eduardo Pedroza) could well be involved if he acts on the ground. He is already ante-post favourite for the 2011 German Derby after winning on his debut at Bremen by 10 lengths. He faces strong international opposition here, with 3 runners from Ireland (all trained by Aidan O´Brien), 2 from Italy and one from the U.K. - Mick Channon´ s Rigolleto (Olivier Peslier). The Italians are difficult to assess, while Rigolleto does not look good enough, but the O´ Brien runners look very dangerous, especíally in view of the stable´s fine record in such events. Johnny Murtagh is still the number one jockey (but not for much longer!) so we assume that his mount Recital, who won his only start easil y, but like Quinindo is taking a huge leap in class here, is the best of the trio. Prairie Star (Elie Lellouche/ Antony Crastus) is the best of the locals.
There is also a strong German challenge for the listed race over 3100 metres at 14.35, with Shawnee Saga (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf), Dwilano (Norbert Sauer/ Theo Bachelot) and Cabimas (Peter Schiergen/ Mikael Barzalona) all entered. Cabimas could be the best of them, but the French should win this with the lightly-raced Babyla (Andre´Fabre/ Maxime Guyon) and Shalanger (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gregory Benoist) holding the best chances. Again, the British runners do not look good enough.
Mrs. Summersby (Heinz Hesse/ Pedroza) and Gyrona (Andreas Trybuhl/ Benoist), in the two divisions of the 2500 metres handicap for fillies and mares at 15.08 and 16.40 respectively, are the other German runners at Saint-Cloud today; both could be in the money, but they are very tricky races.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tea Party - Swedish - Heure d`Hiver
2. Race: Gatinello - Cayman Islands - Tanawob
3. Race: Kreem - Prairie Star - Quinindo
4. Race: Shalangar - Babyla - Plume Rose
5. Race: Prima Porta - Croix Madame - Belle Masquee
6. Race: Solenne Du Clos - Soft Drink - Royce des Mottes
7. Race: Sybelio - Elegant Dancer - West Wing
8. Race: Elhofa - Doukanane - Monyaar