Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) fell three lengths shy of Just Glamorous (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) when that reopposing rival lowered the track record in last month's G3 Prix du Petit Couvert, and lit up the boards with a career-high performance covering Chantilly's same five-furlong strip in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp. Finding cover in mid division as Just Glamorous adopted his usual full-choke role on the front end, the 117-5 outsider was rousted along soon after halfway and weaved her way through the pack under a power drive from Luke Morris–who took the 2010 renewal aboard Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire})–to pounce for glory in the dying strides. Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) flashed home late to finish 3/4 of a length adrift in second, while dual G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe victress Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was unable to maintain an advantage she seized approaching the final eighth and was a short head away in third. “We've always had high hopes for her, [trainer] Sir Mark [Prescott] had freshened her up and this is the icing on the cake,” enthused Morris, adding, “These are the days you work hard for and it's great to get a winner for Sir Mark at this level.”
Marsha's first taste of black type yield a rosette for third in last term's Listed Mercury S. at Dundalk and Elite Racing's homebred bay broke through in Ayr's Listed Land O'Burns Fillies' S. on her third sophomore start June 18. Doubling up in York's Listed City Walls S. next time July 9, she slipped to fifth in Goodwood's July 29 G2 King George S. before running second in the Sept. 11 G3 Prix du Petit Couvert last time. Brian Pothecary, speaking on behalf of the owner-breeder's 10,000-strong membership, said afterwards, “I'm very lucky to represent Elite here today, as one of three coachloads of owners who were selected by ballot to attend. I doubt whether she will run again this year and I very much hope she stays in training as a 4-year-old.”
Mecca's Angel will retire to the paddocks at the end of term, but may reappear for a send-off at Ascot's British Champions Day revealed trainer Michael Dods following her game third here. “We'll seriously think about [the Oct. 15 G1 British Champions Sprint on] Champions Day, but we'll take her home, see how she is and discuss plans with [owner] David [Metcalfe] before making a decision,” he said. “The race wasn't run to suit as she likes to race in her own space. She was never getting that and [jockey] Paul [Mulrennan] admitted he had to kick on a bit too soon. She's been beaten by a good filly and we're disappointed we didn't win, but we're delighted with her. She never lets us down.”
Marsha is the second foal out of Listed Prix des Reves d'Or winner Marlinka (GB) (Marju {Ire}), the leading performer out of Baralinka (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}), who in turn is a half-sister to MG1SW European champion Soviet Song (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) and Sister Act (GB) (Marju {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ribbons (GB) (Manduro {Ger}), while Marlinka's half-sister Kazatzka (GB) (Groom Dancer) produced G3 Pinnacle S. victress Miss Marjurie (Ire) (Marju {Ire}). Marlinka has also produced the 2-year-old filly Marseille (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}), who ran seventh on debut at Newcastle on Friday, a yearling colt by Cape Cross (Ire) and a filly foal by Iffraaj (GB).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
QATAR PRIX DE L'ABBAYE DE LONGCHAMP-G1, €350,000, CHY, 10-2, 2yo/up, 5fT, :57.27, gd.
1–@&MARSHA (IRE), 133, f, 3, by Acclamation (GB)
1st Dam: Marlinka (GB) (SW-Fr), by Marju (Ire)
2nd Dam: Baralinka (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
3rd Dam: Kalinka (Ire), by Soviet Star
O/B-Elite Racing Club (IRE); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. €199,990. Lifetime Record: MSW-Eng & SP-Ire, 11-5-3-1, €332,049. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Washington DC (Ire), 137, c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–How's She Cuttin' (Ire), by Shinko Forest (Ire). (75,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; €340,000 Ylg '14 GOFORB). O-Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-P. Hyland & C. & J. McHale (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €80,010.
3–Mecca's Angel (Ire), 133, m, 5, Dark Angel (Ire)–Folga (GB), by Atraf (GB). (16,000gns Ylg '12 TATOCT). O-David T J Metcalfe; B-Yeomanstown Stud & Doc Bloodstock (IRE); T-Michael Dods. €40,005.
Margins: 3/4, SHD, 3/4. Odds: 23.40, 11.00, 0.70.
Also Ran: Finsbury Square (Ire), Son Cesio (Fr), Duke of Firenze (GB), Profitable (Ire), Line of Reason (Ire), Ardad (Ire), Cotai Glory (GB), Porthilly (Fr), Maarek (GB), Harry Hurricane (GB), Goldream (GB), Take Cover (GB), Just Glamorous (Ire), Eskimo Point (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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