An increasingly Sardinian palio of Siena, with six out of 10 jockeys coming from the island and 8 out of 10 horses raised on Sardinian stud farms.
There is great expectation as every year for the legendary Palio, which sees the ten districts of the city battle it out in the name of the Madonna of Provenzano: Istrice, Drago, Torre, Chicciola, Aquila, Giraffa, Selva, Onda, Nicchio and Tartuca. Absent Valdimontone, Pantera, Bruco, Leocorno, Lupa, Owl and Goose.
The race starts, weather permitting, at 7.30pm. The winning Contrada will win the Drappellone, a painting created for the occasion by the artist from Molise Roberto Di Jullo.
Giovanni Atzeni di Nurri, known as Tittia, chases the star (the tenth victory) and the fifth consecutive triumph, something that never happened which would definitively consign him to legend. With him, five other Sardinians in the running.
THE JOCKS
Giovanni Atzeni di Nurri, known as Tittia , mounts Violenta da Clodia and runs through the Selva district: 38 years old, he has won the Palio nine times out of 36 races disputed, and is back from four consecutive triumphs.
Carlo Sanna di Sindia, known as Brigante , mounts Viso d'Angelo and runs through the Onda district: 34 years old, boasts 14 participations and a victory at the Palio.
Giuseppe Zedde di Noragugume, known as Gingillo , mounts Zio Frac and runs through the Torre district: son of art (his father Antonio won the Palio twice), he is 40 years old and in Siena can count on 3 victories and 30 races.
Andre Coghe di Norbello, known as Tempesta , mounts Ungaros and races in the Dragon district: he is 34 years old and boasts one victory in 6 races run in Siena.
Sebastiano Murtas di Ghilarza, known as Grandine , rides Una per Tutti and races for the Tartuca: he is 33 years old and has ten races to his credit, no wins.
Stefano Piras from Lanusei, known as Scangeo , rides Veranu and races for L'Aquila: he's 37 years old, competed in three races and won no wins.
Non-Sardinians: Jonatan Bartoletti known as Scompiglio mounts Anda and Bola for the Snail, Federico Arri known as Ares mounts Reo Confesso for the Porcupine, Federico Guglielmi known as Tamurè mounts Abbasantesa for the Giraffe, Elias Mannucci known as Turbine mounts Astoriux for the Nicchio.
THE EVIDENCE
This morning's provaccia was won by Stefano Piras from the L'Aquila district. Even yesterday's dress rehearsal was won by a Sardinian, Carlo Sanna from the Onda district.
(Unioneonline/L)
