Matusalén won the GP Claudio Carudel

Matusalen (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Caradak-Bixaare(Xaar)], owned by Cuadra Miranda, trained by M. Delcher S and ridden by Charles Nora, won last Sunday the GP Claudio Carudel (1,600m, 3yo+, 25,500 euros for the winner) at the La Zarzuela racetrack of Madrid, beating Mil Azul (SPA, 2008), bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. de Salas and ridden by J. L. Borrego, with Weststow (GB, 2008), ch. colt [Medicean-Summer Sunset(Grand Lodge)], owned by Cuadra Viguria, trained by J. M. Osorio in third place and Bellaside fourth.
The rest of the participants were Ariete Arrollador, Jokan, Volcánico, Tirion, Shumookh and Risby

The pace was very fast, with Shumookh and Risby putting some distance between them and the rest of the field. In the straight, Mil Azul was the first to attack, with Bellaside and Weststow, but Matusalén closed very strongly to win by a length.

Matusalén was the unbeaten champion 2 yo in Spain and then travelled to Dubai, where he encountered some problems, including a respiratory illness. Back in Spain he had two disappointing performances in the Cimera and GP Nacional.

Here is the video, with footage also of the 2011 edition : GP Claudio Carudel 2012


In the rest of the meeting:

Collio Side (Caradak) won the 1,200 m race for 2yos, with Zahora and Yakarak 2nd and 3rd, getting a 1-2-3 for Caradak

The 1,200 m race for 3yo+ Spanish breds was won by Azabache (Iceman), with Tagomago (Dyhim Diamond) second

Bipolar (Denver County) won the first part of the split handicap (1,800 m) with Literario (Devil Moon) 2nd

Bouquetot Belle (Graeme Hall) won the 2nd part, with Draco (Baptize) 2nd.

Patricio (Sulamani) won the 1,600 m handicap, with Sharp Eye (Okawango) 2nd.

Domeside won the Premio Corpa

Domeside (GB, 2006), bay colt [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz(Kris)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher S. and ridden by J. Grosjean won last Sunday the Premio Corpa (3,000 m, 4yo+, 15,000 euros for the winner) at the La Zarzuela racetrack, beating Entre Copas (Sakhee) and Karluv Most (Della Francesca).

The race had a very slow pace, lead by Entre Copas until the last turn, in which Domeside and Achtung surpassed him. However, Entre Copas managed to come back for second, while Domeside won comfortably.

Domeside beating EntreCopas in the Premio Corpa 2012. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

Here is the video: Premio Corpa 2012

This is the ninth win for Domeside, who won the GP Villapadierna (Spanish Derby) in 2009. He totalls more than 150,000 euros in prize money


In the rest of the meeting, the 1,800 m race for 3yo+ Spanish breds was won impressively by the heavy favourite Abdel (Dyhim Diamond), with Baronia (Bahhare) 2nd. See the video here: Premio Cría Nacional Plans for Abdel are eagerly awaited.

In the 1,000 m race for Spanish bred 2yo, the winner was Caramoon (Caradak), with Dubrovnik (Dyhim Diamond) 2nd.

Barullo (Fol Parade) won the 2nd part of the 2,100 m split handicap, with Bailongo (Egeo) 2nd

In the first part, the winner was Azafata (Motivator), with Barrocco (Luna Ridge) 2nd.

Jokan (Zamindar) won the 1,600 m race for 3yo+, beating Arrebato (City on a Hill)

Stratvs Canarias wins the Handicap Opcional

Stratvs Canarias (IRE, 2009) [Soviet Star-Hetayaat(Sinndar)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by E. León and ridden by J. Crocquevieille, won the Handicap Opcional (1,600 m, 3yo, 9,000 euros for the winner), beating Otro Gintonic (GB, 2009) [Trade Fair-Nuit Sans Fin(Lead on Time)] by 3/4 of a length, with Castellana (SPA, 2009) [Yorik-Fellinia(War Chant)], third and Esgues (SPA, 2009) [Dyhim Diamond] fourth.

Stratvs Canarias (Soviet Star) and Jeremy Crocquevieille, winners of the Handicap Opcional. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

Carrying the top weight, Stratvs Canarias won almost wire to wire, taking the lead soon after the start and holding off the final attack of Otro Gintonic. The first two left the third in the post our lengths behind. This is the second win in two starts for Stratvs Canarias.

Here is the race: Handicap Opcional 2012


Meneldor (IRE, 2008) [Barathea-Cartesian(Shirley Heights)], owned by Gonzalo Hernando-Aboin, trained by A. Carrasco and ridden by F. Jiménez won the Premio Fernán Núñez (2,200 m, 4yo, Handicap), beating Royal Imari (Royal Academy) and Ramallah (Federal Trial). Video of Premio Fernán Núñez 2012


In the 1,600 m race for debutant 3yo fillies, Premio Cruzcampo, the winner was Ketala (FR, 2009) [Gold Away-Afriketa(Desert Story)], owned by Cuadra LAC international, trained by J. López and ridden by Marco Secci, who caught Hello Snow (Gold Away) in the final strides with a strong finish, with Chatarrilla (Sinndar) third. Afriketa, the dam of Ketala, won the Benítez de Lugo, at three, beating Jade, Guadalmedina and Johanie Cara, among others

Here is the video: Premio Cruzcampo

The equivalent race for colts, Premio El Corte Ingles, was won by Kadmios (FR, 2009) [Kavafi-Eriza(Distant Relative)], owned by Cuadra Nakata and trained and ridden by J.L. Martínez. Riky Rock (Fantastic Light) was second and Jokan (Zamindar), was third. Video: Premio El Corte Inglés


In the other two races, a split handicap over 1,800 m, 4yo+, the winners were Jakemate (Denver County) in the first part and Bailongo (Egeo), in the second part. They are both products of Shiva (Policy Matter)