17 May. GER. Von Wert - Benazet-Rennen. G3. Baden Baden. 1.200 mts. Turf. 50.000 €
1.- ABBADJINN (T.Mundry)
2.- DARK ISLANDER (E.Ahern)
3.- TIZA (C.Soumillon)


There was a thrilling finish this afternoon to the first group race of the Baden-Baden May meeting. Despite the presence of two foreign group winners, the G.3 Benazet-Rennen trophy stays at home.

In the lead up to the race, all the attention was focused on ex-South African galloper Tiza (Goldkeeper) and G.2 Oak Tree Derby winner Dark Islander (Singspiel). But late money came in for Peter Rau’s Abbadjinn (Big Shuffle) and the public were duly rewarded.

After initial scrapping the field was taken along by Lucky Strike (Petong) and Gainsbury (Dashing Blade) with eventual winner Abbadjinn staying close on the leaders’ heels. Dark Islander remained in mid-division with Christophe Soumillon and Tiza opting to remain towards the rear.

Turning into the stretch the field migrated to the standside rail and Abbadjinn was quick to make a move. Eddie Ahern on Dark Islander had a clear run ahead and followed suit. Soumillon however found he was alone at the back with no room to get through and was forced to tack wide.

Dark Islander, on the rail, quickly made up ground on Abbbadjinn with Tiza coming up on the outside. Under a determined ride from Torsten Mundry Abbadjinn held on by a neck from Dark Islander. Tiza flattened out in the dying strides and could manage only third.

Matrix was fourth with Gainsbury and Lucky Strike fifth and sixth respectively.