By Tom Frary
Bursting on to the scene at Chantilly 12 months ago when capturing the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac with an impressive time performance, TDN Rising Star Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) also made ParisLongchamp her own on Sunday to continue her ascent up the rankings in the G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines. Freshened up since winning the G1 Nassau S. over this trip at Goodwood Aug. 2, the 13-5 favourite proved reluctant to load but once out of the gates was taken back from a frantic pace battle involving her pacemaker Winter Lightning (Ire) (Shamardal) and last year's winner Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to race in fifth. Sent to the lead passing the quarter pole by William Buick as Ryan Moore got a rail run on old rival Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the homebred kept up the wattage to hit the line a length to the good as Godolphin came out on top in a second afternoon battle with Ballydoyle. “She is a gallant filly and a credit to herself and the team,” Charlie Appleby said. “We've always been fond of her and she's tough and genuine and a typical Dubawi. She's danced every dance and we came into today very confident–I thought she was the standout in the paddock and all being well, we'll head to the [Nov. 3 GI] Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.”
Sent off at 25-1 when upstaging Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the Marcel Boussac, Wild Illusion confirmed herself a filly out of the top drawer and entered Newmarket's G1 1000 Guineas with considerably more respect. Beaten convincingly by Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) in that May 6 Classic, she was just behind Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and in front of Altyn Orda (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}) and there had been a timely reminder of the strength of that form on Saturday when that trio finished one-two-three in the Sun Chariot. It was when she proved no match for Forever Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as the favourite for the June 1 G1 Epsom Oaks that Appleby had begun to wonder when his stable's luck would turn and ironically the very next day he got his answer in the blue riband. Again undone by Magic Wand in the G2 Ribblesdale S. sticking at a mile and a half at Royal Ascot June 21, Wild Illusion enjoyed an upsurge in her own fortunes when making all in the Nassau dropped back to this trip and this was confirmation that she rules the roost at the intermediate distance.
Aidan O'Brien was pleased with Magic Wand, who was giving her all after a busy spell. “She ran really well like in most of her outings this year,” he said. “I am not sure she will run again this year. The options are open, but we will have to see how she comes out of this race.” Homerique's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said of the third, “When the winner accelerated, our filly lost her rhythm and the jockey respected her. She ran well and finished with good action. She will finish her season with this race.”
Wild Illusion is the second foal out of the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial S. winner Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), with the first being the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. winner Really Special (GB) (Shamardal) and the next the 2-year-old Ceratonia (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who was runner-up in the G3 Prix d'Aumale. The second dam is the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin winner Royal Dubai (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}), who was also responsible for this year's Listed Diana-Trial scorer Realeza (Ger) from a mating with Monsun's son Maxios (GB). The third dam Reem Dubai (Ire) (Nashwan) produced the GI Beverly D. S. heroine Royal Highness (Ger), also by Monsun who in turn is the dam of the the triple group winner Free Port Lux (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Reem Dubai is kin to Elbaaha (GB) (Arazi), dam of the G1 Juddmonte International S. hero Electrocutionist (Red Ransom). Rumh's yearling and foal colts are also by Dubawi.
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'OPERA LONGINES-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-7, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:04.32, gd.
1–WILD ILLUSION (GB), 123, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Rumh (Ger) (SW-Eng), by Monsun (Ger)
2nd Dam: Royal Dubai (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
3rd Dam: Reem Dubai (Ire), by Nashwan
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €285,700. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 8-4-2-1, €1,059,584. *1/2 to Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), SW-Eng & SP-UAE, $108,180; and Ceratonia (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), GSP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Magic Wand (Ire), 123, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Prudenzia (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (€1,400,000 Ylg '16 ARAUG). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Markus Jooste; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm Inc (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €114,300.
3–Homerique, 123, f, 3, Exchange Rate–Chiquita Picosa, by Congaree. ($34,000 RNA Wlg '15 KEENOV; 22,000gns RNA Ylg '16 TATOCT; €75,000 2yo '17 ARQMAY). O-Ecurie de Montlahuc; B-Nicolas & Francois Drion (KY); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €51,750.[bullet ad=”think-indian-creek”][bullet ad=”us-bred-ky-bred-keen-grad”]Margins: 1, NO, 1HF. Odds: 2.60, 5.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: With You (GB), Well Timed (Ger), My Sister Nat (Fr), Navaro Girl (Ire), Athena (Ire), Urban Fox (GB), Lady Frankel (GB), Castellar (Fr), Rhododendron (Ire), L'Arc (Jpn), Desert Diamond (GB), Winter Lightning (Ire). Scratched: Night of England (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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