SOUND CHECK, full brother of our stallion SCALO, confirmed his great potential once again today at Berlin-Hoppegarten and recorded his first group-level victory in the 47th edition of the Oleander-Rennen. Following his victory in the Altano race, which is regarded as preparation for Germany's longest flat race with a distance of 3200 m, the five-year-old colt moved into the starting gate as the favorite under Andrasch Starke and but fulfilled all expectations.
On Hoppegarten's fast track, Starke had Sound Check settle close to the top and found a passage on the hedge at the beginning of the straight from where the colt took off beautifully and went for the post with his usual impressive speed. Unfortunately, one furlong out the pair had to take a halt as the English co-favorite Nearly Caught was moving from the outside toward the inner rails. Starke had to take up Sound Check and direct him to an outer lane where the colt, once again, accelerated beautifully with only a few remaining metres. The stewards rang up an inquiry and Nearly Caught was disqualified and Sound Check was declared the winner.
As the winner of this race, Sound Check will be invited to the G2 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational over 3200m on June 8th and receive the option of a start in the G1 Comer Group International Irish St. Leger 2800m at the Curragh.
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