Ampia Mede Sm will be starting at the 104th Prix D’Amerique. A circuit, that of Vincennes, which the 9-year-old from Ganymede knows well, since she has in her palmares a second place two years ago, and a seventh last year. The Neapolitan queen, belongs to the D’Alessandro family and it will be one of the two brothers, Vincenzo, who will guide her on the track with its hypnotic black colour. She has been stable in France for four years. And after winning the Prix de France and Prix de Paris will she return to her homeland?
Vincenzo, it is your first Amerique. Are you excited?
Yes, I won’t deny it. I am excited. It’s a world event. That’s a race that makes your wrists shake. But the hands for a driver are important, fundamental. I’ll go on the track with full concentration.
Last time you drove her. On the 12th of January, we saw her in sharp recovery.
I followed the orders given to me by Erik Bondo, who has been training with him for a short time. You must not move until you know you are finishing, he told me. Ampia Mede sm is an undisputed champion who knows how to run in all patterns, but at Amerique she has to run in extreme expectation and then sprint.
Why, in view of such an important appointment, did you choose to move her from Duvaldestin to Bondo?
The mare appeared underweight to us, with little energy. Duvaldestin’s stable is very prestigious. They are obviously paying great attention to Idao de Tillard, the home horse and the champion to beat. I understood that he was 70 per cent. Bondo speaks Italian and it’s also easier for us to talk and understand how to act for the good of the mare.
You will test the ground already on Saturday. Who are you running with?
I drive Fede Jet. She has travelled with the van, but she’s in order
Is running the day before an advantage to ease the tension?
Yes, I will warm up the engines and make contact with the track. But the Amerique has no equal. A Gr.1 International over 2,700 metres with a million euros up for grabs makes you lose your salivation.
Can you give us a prediction for Sunday?
Idao de Tillard is the horse to beat, then Go On Boy and San Moteur, they are the more experienced ones. Watch out for Levesque’s mare, Iroise De La Noe, who surprisingly won the Prix de Belgique in the last B, she made a great impression on me. She was also supposed to be a starter last year, but was withdrawn due to injury.
Will this be the last year for your princess?
She has been running since she was two years old. She has done many battles. Of course, compared to the past she is slightly arrow down, but we are confident with how she has worked this past month. After the Amerique we would like to have her do the France, on the 2100 m, being a starter she can try and have her close her career at home in Naples in the Lottery. Then we will evaluate the stallion to give her.
Then it’s true. Some loves don’t end, they go on immense journeys and then return!
