The mossa and the Casato curve. They were the focal points of yesterday’s two tests, won by Lupa (in the morning) and Onda (in the evening). Let’s start with the mossa, which is especially observed when there are six horses and two novice jockeys among the ropes. Yesterday morning the situation of the first test was repeated: almost immediate alignment and a very rapid start, with Giraffa, Oca, Onda and Bruco quick to come out of the ropes.
In the evening another very rapid move and still without leaving the ropes (perhaps a record, in the space of three tests), this time however with some doubts about its regularity: after the obvious forcing of the Nicchio, which bounces on the ropes, Ambrosione waits a moment and actually lowers when the Giraffe is at the verrocchino and is entering. Nicchio and Lupa remain still in the second row. He moved very close to the limits even if, in terms of “youth” at the start of the run-up, much worse was also seen at the Palio. He flanks the Bruco first, then Valdimontone and Oca immediately take the lead.
Casato question, with two chills in the morning and in the evening. The first when, on the last lap of the second test, Tempesta nella Lupa touches the protections of the bollard, without any particular consequences. However, he seriously risks falling, on the second lap of the third test, Tamurè da Criptha in the Civetta. The horse, launched at a sustained gallop, slides with its front legs and the jockey manages to avoid the fall, then continuing the rest of the race at a walk.
Moments of tension during tests that did not show much, but with a spasmodic attention to what happens at the start, where for example Tittia nell’Oca always started among the first three, then immediately recalling. And where even the two novice jockeys, perhaps because they need more than the others to get familiar with the situation, stood out for the good start times with Giraffa and Bruco.
Today is perhaps the most important day to refine all the measures, with the fourth test and the general test which are a prelude to tomorrow evening’s Palio. It will truly be understood what scenario the move can envisage and, taking into account the strategies of the Contrade during the Career, what adaptation all the rookies will show as the tension grows.
