The Goße Woche in Iffezheim offered a race that not only the whole of Germany had been waiting for, but also many international gallop enthusiasts, because the 152nd Baden Grand Prix has had a seminal significance as an important warm-up gallop for the Prix de l` Arc de Triomphe for many years. Not just since Torquator Tasso`s Baden-Baden/Paris double last year.
The defending champion was, of course, particularly in the spotlight. The jockey story alone had made many headlines in the run-up. As is well known, Hans-Gerd Wernicke from the Salzburg stable had insisted that his stable jockey Rene Piechulek would ride Mendocino in the 200,000 horse and a new jockey had to be found for Torquator Tasso. They found Lanfranco Dettori, probably the most famous jockey in the world. However, the Sonnyboy from Italy was not free of criticism this year, because his patron for many years, John Gosden, was not particularly satisfied with some of the rides and now engaged other riders several times.
In Iffezheim, Rene Piechulek had a great moment and Frankie Dettori had a black day, because the duel between Mendocino and Torquator Tasso would probably have ended differently with a different race course and a less elaborate and aggressive riding style by Dettori than with Mendocino`s surprise victory.
A slow race, as was to be expected with four starters, resulted, and later Torquator Tasso`s team had some complaints about it. But why has it gone completely out of fashion to send a pacesetter as a second. Afterwards, the lamentation is always loud. But a remedy would be possible if the entry fee for a pacemaker was raised. Abroad, this is the order of the day, only not here anymore. A Virginia Storm, for example, would have been a good choice in Baden-Baden. We can only hope and expect that a completely different race will develop in the Arc on 2 October. For may not the luckiest but the best horse win.
