Elusive Wave Thanks to Rainbow Quest.

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By ARSENE ABITBOL - 10 May 2009 - 18.46 pm
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After her romp in the French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp, Elusive Wave notched Classic glory having led from start to finish. Installed in stall 5, Christophe Lemaire (Champion Stakes-Pride, 1,000 Guineas - Natagora) made all the running and let's be honest here, before the race and until three-furlong pole, few journalists and pedigree experts would have backed the Martin Schartz's filly for a win. The two main off-putting facts, were a three lengths defeat to Proportional in the Marcel Boussac, as well as the filly's pedigree. Just out of curiosity, let's mention it and we''ll see the impression that transpires.
Elusive City won the Richmond Stakes and the Morny, both sprint Pattern races over 6 furlongs, therefore Daddy was rated with a stamina index of 6.4f. Besides, Elusive City's Sire; Elusive Quality, never went beyond the mile until he was 5 years-old.

Naturally, it would raise the following question : Wouldn't she find the mile too long a journey?
Elusive City and, Grandad, Elusive Quality, both seem to put an end to Elusive Wave's ambitions, so the first impression was 'NO' and, THIS was the second off-putting factor.


On Mummy's side, Elusive Wave's Dam is Multicolour Wave, by Rainbow Quest and out of Echoes. Rainbow Quest was Champion three-year-old stayer in England in 1984 and the 1985 Arc winner. So, arguably, Mummy could have made up for Daddy's lack of stamina.

But was that enough? Still unsure, because we had to look at Echoes' race record beyond the mile, and well beyond the mile if possible... Echoes was Multicoulour Wave's Dam, she filled the fourth position in Passing Sale's Prix du Conseil de Paris in 1990, a Group II over 1m4f. That was a key performance and it backed her case.
Now, it is understandable why Christophe Lemaire's charge was able to make all the running and it also makes sense that the Diane is next on her agenda. (Source : http://galop.courses-france.com/plat/courses/Prix-du-Conseil-de-Paris-1980-2009.php).
For me it was definitely Proportional, but one will have to admit that she might not be as smart as last year. In the end, the Marcel Boussac provided the Poule winner.

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Sources : www.racingpost.com -www.wikipedia.org - www.courses-france.com