Overdose: smashed track record against modest rivals in Germany
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Budapest Bullet back with a bang in Germany
Report: Germany, Sunday
Hoppegarten
THE 'Budapest Bullet' Overdose (Jozef Roszival/Andreas Suborics) left scorch marks on the Berlin turf on Sunday when he smashed the track record at Hoppegarten racecourse on his return to action for the first time since forfeiting his unbeaten record at Baden-Baden last August.
Sent off a 1-2 shot in a specially framed 5f conditions event, the Hungarian sprinter made all, going clear of his overmatched rivals by halfway before coming home six lengthsclear of Shot To Nothing with the rest strung out behind.
The six-year-old son of Starborough stopped the clock in 57.1secs - the original posted time of 54.1s was later corrected - having won in a style that could hardly have been more convincing.
A trip to Britain for the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock on May 21 followed by Royal Ascot is now in the offing after this victory, Overdose's 15th in 16 career starts. Not forgetting, of course, the 'victory' that didn't count in the Prix de l'Abbaye in 2008 after the race was voided.
Andreas Suborics: always happy
PICTURE: Martin LynchOverdose had lost his unbeaten record in controversial circumstances last year at Baden-Baden, where he was fractious at the gate before finally consenting to load after causing a long delay.
Worryingly for connections, he was again difficult at Hoppegarten, sweating and playing up.
"He was nervous, but I was never really worried," reported three-time German champion jockey Andreas Suborics.
"He also did not start as quickly as usual, but once he found his rhythm, he strode out really well. All I had to do was to push him out, and I was able to ease him in the final stages. He had plenty left in the tank."
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LINDENTHALER (Adrie de Vries), the less fancied of the two Peter Schiergen runners in this major Classic trial, scored easily by two and a half lengths while his stablemate and favourite Silvaner (Andrasch Starke) was only fourth.
Peter Schiergen: second-string win
PICTURE: Martin LynchThe winning jockey has now won all three Pattern races run in Germany so far this season.
Lindenthaler, a son of Azamour, took the lead soon after halfway and quickly had the race in safe-keeping. Outsider Rubber Duck chased him unavailingly in the straight.
"I am very satisfiedalthough I was hoping that they would both be placed," said Schiergen.
"The slow pace was not in Silvaner's favour and he is better than the form he showed here."
Although this race is normally seen as a trial for the German 2,000 Guineas, neither of Schiergen's runners is likely to run as the trainer believes they need further. "In the long term they are both prospects for the German Derby," he said.
Before then, Lindenthaler may contest the Prix Hocquart, with Silvaner heading for the Bavarian Classic in Munich.
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