Posted 16 May 2008
Updated 17 May 2008

Baden-Baden stages the first group race of its May meeting today when ten go to post for the G.3 Benazet-Rennen, a six furlong contest for horses three and up.

The local talent is set to be joined by two foreign runners with John Hills sending over Dark Islander and Alain de Royer Dupré presenting Tiza.

Tiza (Goldkeeper), a high-class performer in South Africa, came to France after being campaigned in Dubai by Herman Brown. He won the G.3 Prix de Ris-Orangis on his first start. After failing to shine twice at G.1 level he went on to win a G.3 at Maisons-Laffitte before being sent to Hong Kong but could only manage eight behind Sacred Kingdom in the G.1 Hong Kong Sprint. Brought back at the end of last month he ran a quarter-length second in a Listed at Chantilly and should be hard to beat if on form.

John Hills has always thought highly of Dark Islander (Singspiel), having won the G.2 Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita two years ago. He has been campaigned at a high level since but failed to trouble the judge until winning his third start of this year – a conditions race at Lingfield two weeks ago. He will have to put in a better performance to figure in the first three tomorrow.

Lucky Strike (Petong) is the veteran of the field at ten, but is also the most consistent and has run in good company. He clinched success in this race last year (including two previous editions) and went on to beat subsequent G.1 Prix de la Forêt winner Toylsome in a G.3 at Cologne on his next start. He has not run since finishing sixth in the G.2 Golden Peitsche in August.

Shinko’s Best (Shinko Forest) represents another strong German hope, twice a runner-up in Listed races on his only two starts this year. At seven, he has been lightly campaigned and boasts a Listed seven furlong win last term. He finished third in this race last year.

Key To Pleasure (Sharp Prod), was only a half-length third in the G.3 Silberne Peitsche but did account for the scalp of Matrix (Big Shuffle) and Shinko’s Best in the G.3 Hamburg Trophy last summer. Mario Hofer’s eight year-old has not started since running second in a Bremen Listed race last November.

Matrix (Big Shuffle) who finished runner-up to Key Of Pleasure in Hamburg failed to place again during last season including being trounced by Tiza at Deauville. He made his seasonal debut in a Listed race at Fontainebleau and finished a distant fifth.

Abbadjinn (Big Shuffle) raced six times last year, winning three and never finishing out of the money. He has run twice this year over seven furlongs, second on his first start but failed to place on his only other start last month.

Adamantinos (Seattle Dancer) was campaigned at black-type level in 2007 but singularly failed to impress on any of four starts. His sole start this year produced an unthreatening fourth in a Listed race at Cologne three weeks ago.

Florado (Dashing Blade) was 1¾ lengths behind on that occasion but is a tough sort and has the advantage of the in-form Terry Hellier on board.

Gainsbury (Dashing Blade) makes his first start after a six-month break. From eight runs last season he gleaned just two places and could not repeat his promising two year-old form.
RacingNewswire