Posted 26 September 2008
Updated 27 September 2008

While most of the attention at Cologne this afternoon will be fixed on the Preis von Europa, another contest, possibly more intriguing, takes place earlier in the day at the German track. The Grosse Europa Meile has drawn a strong field of eleven for the group two event.

Racecard available here

Precious Boy, eyecatching winner of the Gr.2 German 2,000 Guineas, makes his long-awaited return to the track after four months layoff.

He is set to clash with Konig Concorde, runner-up that day (incidentally it was Konig Concorde’s older full-brother, Konig Turf who won last year’s edition of the Europa Meile). Christian Sprengel’s colt has since performed consistently well in black-type races and comes into the race off a second place in the Gr.2 Grosser Preis der Sparkasse at Hannover.

Winner of that race however is a tough individual. Uwe Ostmann’s Forthe Millionkiss landed the spoils in style but carries the penalty of top weight. He was given his chance at the highest level earlier this month but was an unimpressive eighth in the Prix du Moulin.

Of the four overseas runners Mark Johnston’s Laa Rayb will be the toughest to beat. A five-lengths winner of the Gr.3 Prix Quincey at Deauville in August he was subsequently soundly beaten in the Gr.2 Park Stakes at Doncaster, a run which can be forgotten.

Rupert Pritchard-Gordon saddles Runaway, a five year-old still in search of a maiden group win. Although finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Jacques le Marois ten days ago, he still faces an uphill struggle.

Also from France comes In Chambers who, until recently, had been the model of consistency, twice finishing runner-up in a pair of group three events. When stepped up he was no better than sixth in the Gr.2 Prix Eugene Adam before returning a similar result in Istanbul earlier in the month.

Jens Hirschberger sends out the lightly-campaigned Idolino. Third in the Gr.3 Bavarian Classic at Munich in June, the Tertullian colt was off for almost three months but promptly romped home in a tough Listed race at Baden-Baden on his return.

Sehrezad, sixth in the German 2,000 Guineas before cruising to Gr.3 JAXX-Pokal victory in June could make his presence felt today. He has since placed twice at group two and three level and the mile is his ideal trip.

Alex Pantall, no stranger to Germany, sends across three year-old filly Turning For Home, winner over a mile at Munich before coming home a well-beaten fourth in the Gr.3 Prix de la Nonette at Deauville in August.

Christian Sprengel’s second runner,El Vettorio, makes his pattern debut as a five year-old. A decent sort over a mile he still faces strong competition as does Mharadono who seems to have lost his way since winning a Listed race earlier in the season.

Once again the three year-olds appear to hold the key to this race. Waldemar Hickst will be hopeful that Precious Boy’s layoff will not be a handicap as Mark Johnston attempts to continue his pillaging of foreign prizes. Idolino and Forthe Millionkiss will also be expected to make an appearance at the finish.
RacingNewswire