Fifty entries tested the Alan Wade (IRL) course before six horse-and-rider pairs returned to tour the short course. Biraben and the 2007 gelding were second to go and were uncatchable after putting in a fast and clear performance. Biraben complimented his mount's success in the past year, saying, "He finished the Wellington season nicely and then [did well] in Kentucky. Now he has a win here after competing well last week."
"It rode really nicely," said Biraben of the track. "There were not so many clears today. When I walked it I thought there would be ten, maybe twelve clear, and to have only six return in such a big field and others with so many faults on different obstacles throughout the course is significant."
Based on today's top performance, Biraben explained that he has changed his plan to include piloting Caillou in Saturday's $204,000 Coca-Cola Grand Prix CSI 4* instead of Colorado 210, who finished on 15 faults, he joked: "I don't know what happened with [Colorado 210], but Alan is a top course designer. It was a very nice course to ride, with distances maybe a little bit short, but still very nice."
For full results from the $70,000 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 4*, click here.