Wally Hennessy, Dexter Dunn, Mike Wilder and now John Henry Nicholson have steered the winners of this traditional trotting highlight of the VDM weekend. Etoile Du Cantal (Adrian Gafa) blasted out of the gate and held off the challenge of stablemates Coeur de Venise (Rhun Wilson) first and then Broadway du Bourg (Joby Randall). The tempo of the race did ease slightly, but the field of top class trotters was still clocked in 1:00.1 at the half. However, the early burn of the front runners paid its toll, laeaving Blason (John Henry Nicholson) to taking control of the race in the closing stages, with Belem de Bertrange (Phil O’Neill) and Bueno Verderie (Andrew Cairns) finishing on for the minors. Mile time 2.02.1 (km rate 1.15.9).
