Düsseldorf: Victory on Molly Le Clou
Today I had two rides, both for my trainer and my employer Gestüt Auenquelle. It went very well, the win on Molly Le Clou in the top-handicap (Ausgleich I) was the icing on the cake since I moved to Auenquelle yard.
Right in the first race I did rid the two-year old Golden Love. She needs a bit of time but it wasn’t a bad performance. She ended up in 8th place but I was a good experience for her to learn the trade.
After the Diana there was the Ausgleich I and I must admit I was pretty confident with Molly beforehand, but the race obviously did not look easy. You do check the forms of the other horses before the race and I thought that who ever beats Nimrod and Sweet Thomas will win. Given the weight advantages I was determined to play my part. The trainer held a short speed in the paddock, just telling me I should ride him the way I did it on our last win here at Dusseldorf. I guess we managed that almost to perfection. I positioned Molly next to the pacemaker and we had a fantastic race. When I asked Molly to go he responded immediately. He did sway a little when Andrasch Starke attacked on Nimrod, but then he concentrated again and showed enough turn of foot to snap victory deservedly so.
This was my first victory in the highest handicap in Germany and it felt like a belated birthday present. Thanks to Molly and thanks to the trainer and thanks to Auenquelle.
To end the day my sweetheart did invite me to dinner at my favourite restaurant in Oberhausen, Pegasos. Thanks to everybody who congratulated me by texting or any other way. I was particular pleased about the well wishes of Hana Mouchova from Saarland. She has always been an inspiration for me. And thanks to Manfred Chapman who was supporting me as well. And before I forget it: Congrats to Andrasch for winning the Diana. I guess he can forgive me our little sway in the straight on Molly!
Molly Le Clou first Ausgleich I victory for Rebecca Danz
She has ridden many winners in her career already but so far no Asugleich I yet. This has changed, as rider Rebecca Danz put her name on the winning list in the top-handicaps as well now – thanks to the Jens Hirschberger trained Molly Le Clou.
In the richest handicap of the day, the WC-Frisch-Rennen carrying a total prize money of 22.500 Euro over 11f, she put herself right next to the leading Northern Rock. In the straight she passed the leading horse and pulled away several lengths. As it proved this was the right move. When the Perter Schiergen trained Nimrod ridden by Andrasch Starke got going he could only close the gap to a length and a quarter behind the Hirschberger horse. Third place went to the Waldemar Hicks trained Manningrey (Marc Lerner), who almost did pass Nimrod. This was a belated birthday present for the rider Rebecca Danz. She did celebrate her 28th birthday on July 31.
