Grosser Preis von Berlin (Group 1)

AS a result of complications arising from Brexit and also the Covid-19 restrictions, there had been no British-trained runners at all in Germany for the first seven months of 2021, but there was a strong Newmarket raid last Sunday on Hoppegarten’s big day featuring the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, backed up by three listed races.

Charlie Appleby sent over Walton Street, a seven-year-old gelding in the Godolphin colours who had not run since finishing fourth to Mishriff in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, while Sir Mark Prescott was represented by Kirsten Rausing’s homebred Alpinista, a four-year-old Frankel filly who had won both her 2021 starts and had last year finished runner-up to Love in the Yorkshire Oaks.

The top local hope was the four-year-old Torquator Tasso, who had won the race last year when it was run in October, and had also finished a good runner-up in the German Derby.

This trio dominated the betting, and as it turned out, the race itself. Walton Street made the running at a steady pace, while the other pair were both held up in mid-division.

Walton Street still led coming into the straight, where Torquator Tasso had very little room on the inside and appeared to be hampered by Alpinista, who had to be rousted along by Luke Morris but was soon in full flight.

She picked up really well to lead over a furlong out and stayed on strongly to win by two and a half lengths from Torquator Tasso, who finished fast once he had got a clear run on the outside, with Walton Street keeping on at one pace to take third.

The others were never in with a chance, and the two Germany three-year-olds, both of whom had run well in German Derby five weeks earlier, were particularly disappointing in fifth and seventh, confirming the view that this season’s German three-year-olds are not up to much – or at any rate the colts.

Worthy winner

Alpinista was certainly a worthy winner, and although Torquator Tasso was possibly unlucky – Luke Morris was given a three-day suspension by the stewards for reckless riding – it is doubtful that Torquator Tasso would have caught her, as the filly appeared to win with something in hand.

She was certainly the best-bred horse in the race, being yet another Group 1 winner for Frankel, who now appears to be the true heir of his great sire Galileo, while she is a member of Rausing’s bestfamily; in fact her grandam Albanova won three German Group 1s for Kirsten Rausing back in 2004, including this race, run in those days in Düsseldorf under a different name.

Sir Mark Prescott watched the race at home on the German livestream and commented later: “That was the aim and it’s not often that these things go according to plan, is it?

“She could come back to Germany for Cologne’s Preis von Europa, another race won by Albanova, although she could move up in trip, as she was certainly staying on well, with races such as the Prix Royal-Oak a possibility. Now that she has her Group 1 in the bag, everything now is a bonus.” The delighted Miss Rausing, having her best ever season, said “all my ships are now coming in!”

Torquator Tasso was certainly not disgraced and confirmed his status as Germany’s best performer over the classic distance. He could run next in the Grosser Preis von Baden, and connections still hope to run him in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Walton Street ran a solid race in third and was possibly still feeling the long break; he is also a possible for Baden-Baden’s big race, to be run on September 5th.