Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (Group 1)

HOTAZHELL produced a fine front-running performance to hold off Timeforshowcasing to land the Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis - Bayerisches Zuchtrennen in Munich.

The four-year-old was a quality juvenile for Jessica Harrington, winning the Tyros and Beresford Stakes in Ireland before finishing the campaign with Group 1 Futurity Trophy success at Doncaster, where he accounted for Aidan O’Brien’s subsequent star three-year-old Delacroix.

The Too Darn Hot colt had struggled somewhat at the top table since that Town Moor victory, but Hotazhell had some form from his two runs this season and took up the early running in the hands of Shane Foley. Timeforshowcasing was in pursuit as the pair continued to set a strong gallop as they hit the final bend.

Charlie Johnston’s charge pushed alongside Hotazhell at the front, but Hotazhell was responding to his rider all the time and they passed the line stride for stride, with the Irish raider coming out on top by a nose.

George Scott’s new recruit Wimbledon Hawkeye left his challenge just too late as the race favourite flew down the outside to finish a half length behind in third.

“He really got down and fought today,” said Harrington, recording her first Group 1 since that Doncaster triumph.

“He was really good and I’m really thrilled that he’s won another Group 1. He’ll go forward from here.

“He’s a really tough and gutsy horse, it’s how he won the Futurity Trophy, when you think about it. He wouldn’t give up and he just had an unfortunate year last year, a nearly year.

Regroup

“It’s absolutely fantastic. We’ll come back and regroup and see where we go.”

Foley admitted it was not the plan to make the running, as he secured his first Group 1 victory in Germany.

He said: “He was really good as a two-year-old and lost his way a little bit last year, but his two runs have been good.

“He’s coming back to himself so hopefully he can have a nice autumn, and thank God our head was in front at the right time.

“It wasn’t the plan to make the running, I went forward from my inside draw and I thought there wasn’t much pace in it and I ended up getting it very easy in front.

“They attacked me early in the straight, but this lad’s a fighter.”