Thousand Stars earns Willie Mullins a victory in Gras Savoye Hipcover Prix La Barka at Auteuil
Willie Mullins’ 8-year-old trainee, Thousand Stars, sealed an emphatic win in the Grade 2 Gras Savoye Hipcover Prix La Barka, held at Auteuil on Sunday, May 20th.
The dashing gelding maintained his good record at this venue, as he won the Grade 1 Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil last season. In pursue of a winning prize worth £65,625.00, Mullins sent his five ace runners in the field.
It was a perfect outcome for the Irish trainer, as Thousand Stars and Zaidpour respectively secured the top two positions on the table. On a very soft surface, the 2m5½f event started off at 14:55 GMT.
Under Paul Townend, Thousand Stars made a steady start to the proceedings. Mullins’ champion gelding was not impressive during most part of the race, but a fine finish helped him grab the top place.
In the final 100 yards, he took his speed to the maximum level and stretched his advantage significantly. Following a wonderful work, the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate-owned managed to beat his stable mate, Zaidpour, by four and a half lengths. Under Ruby Walsh,
Zaidpour ran as the 3-1 favourite.
Enormously delighted over his gelding’s outstanding work, Mullins said: "He's an iron horse. He's been to every festival, Aintree, Cheltenham and Punchestown, and we haven't missed a beat with him."
Tanais Du Chenet at one stage was in great position to snatch the runner-up place from Zaidpour, but Mullins’ charge strike while the iron was hot.
The 6-year-old did an outstanding job in the final stages of the event, seizing the spot by a head’s distance. Tanais Du Chenet ended up third whereas Tidara Angel and Tarabel respectively completed the order of five.
The handler was equally delighted with Zaidpour’s fine show, saying that it was quite a learning trip for the Mrs S Ricci’s gelding. Meanwhile, Mullins confirmed that both the first two home will run in the Group 1 French Champion Hurdle (Grande Course de
Haies d'Auteuil) next month.
"Both will come back [for the French Champion Hurdle]. I think Zaidpour will have learned a lot today, the experience is huge for him," shared the veteran handler.
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