Bieffe tops European 4YOs

The great Italian driver Pietro Gubellini stole the show in the most important international 4-year-old race, the 300.000 Euro Gran Premio d’ Europa, held Tuesday afternoon at Ippodromo San Siro in Milan (f). He steered Frisky Bieffe to victory in a mile rate of 1:59 over 2,100 meters.

The longshot Filipp Roc (Uronometro) rushed for the lead and Gubellini directly understood his chance and was immediately standing on the metal to take over command with the secondhand choice, Frisky Bieffe, while the other strong challengers--Fairbank Gi (Lemon Dra), Frullino Jet (Pine Chip) were still hidden at the rail. Most of the other challengers were starting from the second lead and were without chance already in the enormous field of 14 competitors behind the gate.

The leader was permitted to reduce the pace after the fast opening and they were almost walking in 2:09 speed midways. And surprisingly there were no serious challenges from behind!

The French entry, Orphea de Nay (Caribou du Ranch) was parked on his outside and Jorma Kontio did not rush him, which resulted in a too-long stay at the rail for the head challengers. Orphea de Nay tired in the last turn and stopped ahead of the season´s leader, Frullino Jet, who was unable to get around.

As they turned for home, Friske Bieffe and Gubellini escaped to win most easily. Faliero As (Lemon Dra) had a decent trip third on the outside and finished well as a distant second, while the 2005 Derby winner, Fairbank Gi (Lemon Dra), continued at the rail to take third and Filipp Roc was fourth, while a lot of the other hopefuls were still looking for racing room.

Frisky Bieffe is a son of Indro Park, one of the great sons in the Italian breed by Sharif di Iesolo, Frisky Bieffe’s dam is Salade di Rosa by Park Avenue Joe and Quick Change Girl (Speedy Count - Baynie).

This was his 12th win in 18 starts for Frisky Bieffe, who now has lifetime earnings of over 310.000 Euro. He has a record of 1:57.6/10ths.

The mares raced faster in the 100.000 Euro Gran Premio Filly d’ Europa, which was a wire-to-wire win for Flute Grif (S.J.´s Photo - Twig Nissan Sunny by Baltic Speed), driven by Marco Smorgon. The 2005 Orsi Mangelli runner-up against the colts was timed in a rate of 1:58.2/10ths over 1,600 meters. Feeling Roc (Lemon Dra) was second ahead of Follow the Wind (Toss Out).

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