Sunday's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden is a proper clash of the generations, with the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) taking on the best of the elders in Iquitos (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and a host of others that cannot be easily discounted. Runner-up to Colomano (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) in the 11-furlong G2 Oppenheim-Union-Rennen at Cologne on June 11, Gestut Rottgen's homebred Windstoss came forward whereas that rival backtracked when only 13th as the favourite for that July 2 Hamburg Classic.
Even though Windstoss wears the privileged mantle of Derby winner, he still has some way to go to match the achievements of the two-years older Iquitos, who was the authoritative winner of this 12 months ago and who registered another comprehensive top-level success last time in Munich's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis over 10 furlongs on July 30. On that occasion, Stall Mulligan's domestic leader had Godolphin's Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in second, with the Derby runner-up Enjoy Vijay (Ger) (Nathaniel {Ire}) well beaten in fourth.
Along with the G2 Dubai City of Gold-winning stablemate Prize Money (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), who was sixth in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis, the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial scorer Best Solution re-opposes and Saeed bin Suroor is hoping they can step up a notch. “Best Solution ran well last time out and is in good form,” he said. “Prize Money is also in good order. Both horses will be suited by the mile and a half and any rain will help their chances. It looks a good race, with Iquitos in there, but both horses are fit and well and I am looking for a good result.”
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