Vernissage Grif, the great saurian son of Varenne and winner of the last two editions of the Gran Premio Lotteria, triumphed yesterday in France, at Cagnes-sur-Mer, setting a new European track record with 1'08"1 per km.
The standard-bearer of Neapolitan Gennaro Riccio, driven by Alessandro Gocciadoro, led all 1609 meters of the race, easily repelling the French horses Emeraude de Bais and Go On Boy.
Fifth was the other Neapolitan-owned trotter Vivid Wise As. No luck for the other two Italians in the field: Capital Mail, who made a mistake at the start, and Bleff Dipa, who finished tenth. For the Italians, the next major challenge (with hopes also pinned on the participation of some French and Swedish champions) will be the Lotteria di Agnano, scheduled as always for the first of May. With today's incredible record, Vernissage is announced as a sure protagonist and probable favorite.