The English page - The Sea the Moon Oaks

Last weekend’s German Racing centred on the Group I 165. Henkel-Preis der Diana- the German Oaks in Duesseldorf and the Fritz Henkel Preis a Group III for 3-year-olds and older horses. Unfortunately, the weather would play a major role on raceday. Dusseldorf had seen a lot of rain in the days leading up to Oaks Day but what came down on raceday morning would turn the ground to almost untraceable, so much so, that come midday the Stewards, Trainers and Jockeys decided an inspection of the track was necessary. After the inspection it was decided among all, that they would run the first race, a 2-year-old race and bring forward the Group III Fritz Henkel Preis as second event with the 165. German Oaks Henkel Preis der Diana now being run as the third race and thereafter they would reinspect the track regarding the rest of the Card.

In front of a meagre 7.000 spectators, the first race the Persil Rennen got under way on a very wet track at 13.14. All six 2-year-olds handled the conditions quite well, but Geography (Holy Roman Emperor) proved a convincing winner under jockey Rene Piechulek for Stall Hanse and trainer Peter Schiergen. He romped to a 9-length victory and was not intimidated by the underground conditions.

The Group III Fritz Henkel Preis over 1600m was next off. This saw See Hector (Counterattack) come home an easy 3 length winner from a gallant Arnis Masters (Tai Chi) with Tarkhan (Soldier Hollow) ½ length away in third. This was to be the start of an exceptionally pleasing day for Trainer Henk Grewe and his jockey Lukas Delozier .Some more drama was about to unfold before we would see the start of the German Oaks. Eduardo Pedroza had problems getting to the track and his ride on one of the more fancied Oak’s runners, Lady Ewelina, was given to jockey Sean Byrne.

All 14 fillies stood their ground in the fillies Classic and Weracruz (Cracksman), 3rd in the German Derby was sent off the 7/2 favorite. At the start, with almost all in starting place, the sensitive Lady Ewelina showed her character and dislodged replacement jockey Sean Byrne, got herself totally wound up and was taken away from the start as a non-runner. The other 13 were now sent on their way with 2nd favorite Kassada( Sea the Moon) being sent directly onto the lead by her jockey Maxim Pecheur from her stablemate Empere and Spirit of Dreams with Muskoka (Sea the Moon) in a good position and the French trained Sea the Lady (Sea the Moon) in midfield while Weracruz dropped in at the back. The favorite never got going at any stage of the race and was to finish way back in 11th at the end. A lot of the runners struggled early with the conditions and those in the forward positions galloped relentlessly, that not many got into the race. Kassada was very tough from the front, and she tried to kick on from the turn in. She looked the likely winner down the straight but Muskoka and Sea the Lady came out of the pack to throw down strong challenges and it was at the 100-meter mark where Muskoka stuck her head in front to deprive Kassada by a neck at the line with Sea the Lady following 21/4 lengths away in third, Empore staying on dourly for 4th.

What a day for birthday boy jockey Lukas Delozier and the team of trainer Henk Grewe. A magic day for the Breeder Lars Wilhelm Baumgarten and his owner friends Stall Golden Goal. More so for the Lanwades Stud stallion Sea the Moon having already seeing his son Fantastic Moon win the German Derby he also produced the first three home in these fillies Classic. Trainer Henk Grewe who described Muskoka as an incredible fighter and a filly with a huge heart, said they would consider her for a race on Prix de l’Arc weekend and she could also take in a contest at the Breeders Cup. Interestingly at the BBAG yearlings auction the sister of Muskoka will be offered as Lot number 175 consigned by stud Ohlerweilerhof.

Taking a look at the upcoming weekend – Berlin Hoppegarten will be the main racing next Sunday with the Westminster 133. Großer Preis von Berlin a Group I for 3-year-old and older horses over 2400 meters. Again, it looks like the the Grewe machine will continue to roll on. At the moment it is hard to get away from his two entries Assistent (Sea the Moon) and Sisfahan (Isfahan), first and second out of the Group II Hansa Preis in Hamburg on Derby weekend. Winning jockey Thore Hammer Hansen keeps the ride on Assistent while stable jockey Lukas Delozier again rides 2021 Derby winner Sisfahan. Sammarco (Camelot), the 2022 Derby winner, 4th in the Hansa Preis and since 4th in the Dallmayr Preis reopposes, New London (Dubawi) from the Godolphin stables of Charlie Appleby could be significant if he travels over. He won the Gordon Stakes Group III at Goodwood this time last year, finished 3rd in the English St Leger Grpup I and has had a run this year finishing 3rd in a Newmarket listed race. For me though the biggest danger to the German pair will come from the French trained Simca Mille (Tamayuz). He is trained by Stephane Wattel and will be the mount of regular pilot Alexis Pouchin. The 4-year-old has won 2 of his 3 starts this year including the Prix d´Harcourt Group II and the Grand Prix de Chantilly Group II while in between he has finished second in the Prix Ganay Group I behind Iresine. On wednesday, Lady Ewelina (Mukhadram), the late Oaks withdeawal, was supplemented. 

The 11-race programme also includes the Hoppegartener Fliegerpreis a listed sprint over 1200metres, the Hoppegartener Stutenpreis a listed race for 3-year-old and older fillies over 2000m and the Hoppegartener Steher Preis over 2800m. With plenty of English, French and East European challengers to test the German runners, it should be an enjoyable day racing.

Shannon Spratter