Tiza lands third group3 in france

Tiza comes from last to first to win third Group 3
By Isabel Mathew

Maisons-Lafitte: Prix de Ris-Orangis (Group 3) 6f

TRAINER Alain Royer-Dupre's patience paid off when, after a three-month absence, Tiza came from last to first to land his third Group 3 and earn consideration for the Prix Maurice de Gheest .

Sent off at 12-1, the cheekpieced seven-year-old raced in last, behind the generous pace set by British raider Strike The Deal and French-trained outsider Delvita, Dominique Boeuf sitting motionless.

The early leaders came under pressure inside the final two furlongs just as favourite Planet Five, Contest and Aiboa began to pick up creating a six-strong wall for Boeuf, still motionless, to navigate past or through.

Cool as ice the rider pressed the buttonat the furlong pole and galloped a neck clear of Delvita.

"He was very well ridden by Dominique as he is not an easy ride," said the winning trainer. "I do not have many older horses in my stable and it is a pleasure to see him win like that.

"He needs time in between his races and we now can say he will go on any ground."

"We will think about running him in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville but that would be quite daring. It is more likely he will go for the Prix de Meautry (which he won last year) at the same course (August 30). His two favourite tracks are Maisons-Laffitte and Deauville. "

Planet Five failed to fire and jockey Christophe Lemaire, who said: "I have no explanation for his poor run, when I asked him to quicken he gave me nothing."

The Pascal Bary-trained three-year-old was seeking a hat-trick but could beat only two home, finishing eighth. Aiboa was a neck third followed a length later by Mariol, who finished a length and a half in front of fifth-placed Strike The Deal.

"We are a little disappointed and I thought we would be more competitive than that," said Jeremy Noseda, trainer of the fifth. "We will take him home and I haven't decided what his next target will be."

Looking at his form at Racingpost.com, that's actually his fourth G3 win in France from 17 starts over there. Also 2nd or 3rd in another 4 Gr3's. Connections must be happy with that.

Tiza has tried Gr1's in France four times and been beaten 5.50, 4.75, 6.00 and 5.00 lengths.

Any idea of the stakes earned(also what cost to train in France)-

Runs =40

wins =11

2nds=9

3rds=6

win prize money =£202,668 x14 for Rand

total prize money=£304,192

At today's exchange rate, earned just over R4m. Not bad!

Tnx Hibs What a great ad for Sa racing - Such a hard knocker