The Hotel Kolping prize had a clear winner. © FOTO PRESS ARIGOSSI

The summer meetings in Merano are open

High tension at the Merano racecourse: In front of numerous spectators, Piton Des Neiges decided the main race in his favor at the start of the summer meeting.

July 14, 2024

From: pm

The gelding from the Aichner racing stable, ridden by Josef Bartos, landed an undisputed start-to-finish victory in the hurdle race for the Hotel Kolping prize. Behind the winner, Igor (T. Podraska) won the duel for the place of honor against Un Beso (G. Volpe).

Zio Reginaldo brought the second daily success for the team of the Aichner family, trainer Josef Vana Jr. and jockey Josef Bartos in the chase race for the Residence Pollingerhof prize. The gelding held up to the high initial pace of Velo Dipinto (G. Agus) and attacked Raffaele Romano's protégé on the home straight, only to bid farewell to his opponent after jumping the last hurdle. Third place went to the winner's stablemate Black Star.

On the flat track, the favorites prevailed throughout. Kong Collector and Gabriele Agus and Tramaglino with Riccardo Belluco in the saddle secured the victories in the Hotel Burggräflerhof and Hotel Tannerhofer prizes as expected. The bettors did not, however, reckon with Surfa Rosa, who surprisingly secured success in the Residence Villa Hedy prize with the German rider Claudia Pledl.