Bernard Thomas (photo) will have five starters, Wednesday, in Vichy (R-3). He gave his impressions to our journalist Stéphane Davy:
“SHINE ILLUSTRATION (312) remains complicated. She displays resources in the morning in training and tends to lose them in the followingnoon when she arrives at the racecourse. Blame it on the stress. Besides, she’s a bit of a victim of her looks. She’s a stepper. It is cut to age well but you will have to take the time to make it, to shape it. She still has everything to learn. For Wednesday, your readers don’t have to make it a priority.
ERMINE OF THE HOURGLASS (514) has made a little growth this year, both in height and in width. It’s not a big spinner. Also, she is better on the big rings. The iron removal was a real plus for her. She really pleased me during her last success, at Vichy (note, May 30). In the process, she faces a good commitment to gains and this in an event reserved for females. I judge him capable of repeating. Be aware, however, that it sometimes remains tense at the time of the volte. She is not always wise when she leaves. This is my only reservation.
JESSIE YOU SKIN VENT (603) is not without quality. Alas, I missed out on his debut. She was disqualified in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne. She is precocious in her gaits but not in her model. She has facilities. You have to see the value of the lot. If it works 1’15” and fractions, as in a recent competition of the same structure, in Vichy, his task will be complicated. Otherwise, she has her chance. I hope she will take her first gains.
HEPONA FOR A DAY (706) is not a champion but she is surprising. She often seems overwhelmed during the course but she gives herself up to the end. She can go to the scales. HOURGLASS HULK (707) is better than the mare but he starts under saddle. In my opinion, it is cut to stand out. He has the model and the origins to do well because in his maternal line we find Vivier de Montfort, a good mounted horse. It is above all a test but to tell you everything, I expect a good result. It should also be noted that he is a train horse, adept at large tracks.”
