Big Week from August 27 - September 4, 2022 in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim:
Noble Heidi and Tünnes" - two impressive comebacks in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden/Iffezheim, August 31, 2022 (MH). Two impressive comebacks, perfectly prepared by trainer Peter Schiergen (Cologne) and perfectly performed by champion jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, fascinated the gallop fans on Wednesday, the third day of the 2022 Grand Prix in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim. Noble Heidi and Torquator Tasso half-brother Tünnes returned from long breaks in magnificent form.
Noble Heidi made the start: two years ago she was number one among the young German mares thanks to her success in the Preis der Winterkönigin at the racecourse in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim. Now the four-year-old daughter of Intello, owned by Manfred Schmelzer, has returned in great style in the Coolmore Stud Baden-Baden Cup (Listed race, €25,000, 1,800 m).
With Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, the 5-1 chance, who was formerly at home with Henk Grewe before switching to Peter Schiergen's neighboring stable, spurted away in breathtaking fashion by eight and a half lengths. And this despite the fact that she had not raced for a year.
Exceeding expectations
"That was a very good performance after the long break," said Murzabayev, who was also impressed. And coach Peter Schiergen said: "Noble Heidi had a mini fissure that took a long time to heal. We had expected a good run, but not such a great success. As she has the national license in France, she could now continue there."
La Estrellita surprises
The giant outsider La Estrellita was sure of second place at all times and made a great comeback. "She liked the weather and had also worked better again," said her handler Michael Figge, who named a Listed race in Saint-Cloud as the next task. Stella ran out her form in third place. "She has become very consistent and can also go further," said trainer Markus Klug. French riders Nano Eagle and Layla had to make do with fourth and fifth place respectively.
Similar to Noble Heidi, Tünnes, the half-brother of defending champion and Arc winner Torquator Tasso, who will start in the 152nd Wettstar.de Grosser Preis von Baden on Sunday, owned by the ambulance entrepreneur Holger Renz, who lives in Cologne and Baden-Baden, made a similar reappearance.
Purchased and renamed
Renz paid 38,000 euros at the BBAG for the stallion, who was still called Tijuan Hilleshage at the time and was bred by Dutchman Paul Vandeberg, before later giving him a "Cologne" name like all his horses. Tünnes had already won the 2021 Ratibor-Rennen in Krefeld before tendinitis ruined his preparation for the Derby, for which he was favored by the bookmakers. However, the Murzabayev/Schiergen team then won the Blue Riband with Sammarco, also a starter in the 152nd Wettstar.de Grosser Preis von Baden.
But now Tünnes is back, and how! At his first start in 2022, the 1.9:1-favorite ran away from his opponents by six lengths in the Prize of the BBAG Yearling Auction (€52,000, 2,400 m), with Lobelie (trainer Waldemar Hickst: "She ran great and will continue in auction races.") and Niagaro (trainer Sarah Steinberg: "I am more than satisfied.") finishing second and third respectively, but did not have the slightest chance against Tünnes.
Bauyrzhan Murzabayev said: "Tünnes had worked very well, I was very sure of myself." Coach Peter Schiergen added: "He needed a lot of time after his injury. That was very good today. We will certainly aim for group races again, but we don't have an exact plan yet."
Weston completely unchallenged
The race day, on which eleven trials were held from late morning (four races were also part of the betting program in France), began with an unchallenged success for the three-year-old Weston (3:1), who is trained by Andreas Suborics in Cologne for the many owners of Liberty Racing 2020. The Soldier Hollow-son won the judges' decision against Power of Royal and Indian Sunset. "He's a big horse with a big gallop that you can't hold on to along the way. He will improve a lot after this start and especially next year," commented jockey Martin Seidl.
All eyes on Look At Me
Unfortunately, only three two-year-old horses entered a 10,000 euro class for the youngsters over 1,200 meters. Here, trainer Andreas Suborics, just like his stable jockey Martin Seidl, landed the next hit right away - with the mare Look At Me (4.4:1), owned by Hermann Pfister's Austrian stable Ad Episas, who got the favorites Tashker and Keano safely under control. "We don't overtax the horses, but wait until they offer themselves. That's what makes them stand out," said Martin Seidl about the daughter of former Derby winner Pastorius, who has entries in several auction races.
Willi with Lilli again
Willi with Lilli - as at the spring meeting, rider Lillie-Marie Engels formed a successful team here with Willi (7.7:1), trained by Pavel Vovcenko. The co-favorite sparked new reserves against Quelinda, New Diamond and Auensir from start to finish. The four-horse bet in this 1,600 meter level III brought 10,845.9:1 euros.
One hit in the four-way bet: 20,000 euros winnings
The four-horse betting in a 1,400 meter handicap was hit once, when Heavenly Bound (13;1, R. Piechulek) from the Hoppegarten quarters of Roland Dzubasz was surprisingly ahead against Libertadore, No Stopping Her and Lady Calcaria. One bettor collected 20,000 euros. The total turnover in the eleven races amounted to 473,178.31 euros.
Next race day on Saturday
The Great Week will continue on Saturday, September 3rd, with the fourth day of the meeting. The highlight of the nine races is the T. v. Zastrow Stutenpreis (Group II, 70,000 euros, 2,400 m). The first start is at 13:40.
Dates of race events Baden Galopp 2022:
Big week:
Wednesday, August 31
Saturday, September 3
Sunday, September 4
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 14
Sunday, October 16
Winter magic race day:
Saturday, December 3
Photos:
Tünnes, image source: www.marcruehl.com
Contact:
Press department Baden Galopp:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Racing department:
Name: Michael Hähn
E-Mail: [email protected]
