Two Group 3 races complemented the Prix Ganay won by Cirrus Des Aigles
PICTURE: APRHRohaut continues Classic roll with Trois
Report: France, Sunday
Longchamp: Prix Vanteaux (Group 3) 1m1¼f, 3yo fillies
FRANCOIS ROHAUT'S remarkable run of wins in this season's Classic trials continued as Trois Lunes (Francois-Xavier Bertras) burst between horses to score by a neck.
"Francois has given her a dream ride and she's a filly we've always liked, although I don't think she necessarily liked the ground this heavy," said Rohaut, who now has realistic contenders for all four classics in France this spring.
"She has great presence as well as a lot of class," he continued. "Now she's won the Vanteaux, if everything goes well she's on the regal route [to the Prix de Diane]."
Alain de Royer-Dupre was pleased with runner-up Sagawara.
"She needs further and also better ground," he said. "She could go straight to the Prix Saint-Alary."
Favourite Preferential was notably reluctant to enter the parade ring before the race, having to be coaxed in backwards.
The daughter of Dansili held a good position entering the home straight but didn't pick up as expected and finished five and a half lengths back in fifth, after which trainer Criquette Head-Maarek said there were "no excuses."
Also on Sunday
Longchamp: Prix de Barbeville (Group 3) 1m7½f, 4yo+
USUELO (Jean-Luc Guillochon/Antoine Hamelin)sprang something of a shock against some of France's more established stayers, after his young jockey plotted a daring route up the inside.
The 9-1 shot was a first group winner on the Flat for Guillochon, a former jump jockey, and the second for Hamelin in the space of a month since turning professional.
"He's always a horse I've thought a lot of and he's really at home on heavy ground," said Guillochon. "He'll now follow the logical programme for the stayers here in France."
Prairie Star put a disappointing effort behind him at Saint-Cloud last month to finish a length and three-quarters back in second, while another soft ground specialist Tac De Boistron ran on for third.
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