Zellie gets day off to flyer for Murphy
Zellie started the day off in the best possible style for Oisin Murphy as she took the opener on Arc Day, the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, for trainer Andre Fabre and owners Al Wasmiyah Farm.
Zellie and Oisin Murphy get off to the perfect start on Arc Day
PHOTO: © Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images
A 39/10 fancy at the off, she scythed her way through the field to score by just under two lengths in a welcome boost for her jockey, who had taken a crashing fall in the Parade Ring at Salisbury a few days earlier.
Setting off, Fleur D’Iris took the field along, the favourite setting a decent pace under Mickael Barzalona. Agartha going along with them as the field started the bend towards the false straight.
Natasha was the first off the bridle in the false straight, Frankie Dettori pushing and shoving to keep her up with the pace. It proved to no avail as she failed to pick up in the straight and dropped away to finish last.
At the top of the straight and 500m to run, the pace lifted and the sprint for home began. Times Square hit the front with 300 metres to run, but the eye was drawn to the far rail and Zellie, who had picked up like a rocket and was scything her way through the field.
Zellie and Oisin Murphy scythe their way past rivals
PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images
Fleur D’Iris dripped away 200m out, with Times Square and Zellie the two to take aim at one another and slug out the finish. Zellie pulled out more in the final 100 metres to score by just under two lengths.
Speaking post race, Oisin Murphy was full of praise for his mount after a much needed success for him after the incident at Salisbury a few days previously.
“A beautiful, easy filly to ride, she has a big heart. She is a dream ride for a jockey!”
“After my fall last Thursday, I needed to get my confidence back, but that day has started well!”
Zellie and Oisin Murphy get off to the perfect start on Arc Day
PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images
Ali Hamad Al Attiya, owner of Zellie, noted that he “loved” the riding of Oisin, and that the ground was “not a problem”.
“I think she can win on any ground”.
The racing manager of the winner, Paul Basquin, was full of praise for her. “She is by a great stallion, and the dam is by Nathaniel, so she is certainly not just precocious”.
“Our objective has always been this ace. She will now be roughed until next season”.
Her next major target has been listed as the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches ( French 1000 Guineas ) back at Longchamp in May over 1 mile, and her team are already very excited for next season.
Zellie and Oisin Murphy get off to the perfect start on Arc Day
PHOTO: © Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images
Of the beaten horses, trainer of Times Square Christophe Ferland said that whilst his charge is “temperamental”, his team have done “an incredible job with her”.
“We certainly have a good filly for next year”.
Ryan Moore, who finished third on Oscula, said she ran “really well” and “produced a great finish…. confirming her quality”.
Many, huge and very grateful, thanks to France Galop for the opportunity to cover the meeting, and for the comments from connections post race.
