Elusive Wave led home a Jean-Claude Rouget-trained quinella in the G1 French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp on Sunday.

A winner of the Prix Imprudence on her previous outing, Elusive Wave defeated stablemate Tamazirte by a half-length with hot favourite Fantasia third.
Elusive Wave’s only defeat to date in six career starts was behind Proportional in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac last October.

“What she did is amazing,” said Rouget.  “It is always hard to keep the lead here and I was worried because Fantasia was behind her.  But she was very brave and I couldn’t be happier with the result.

Rouget predicted the Coronation Stakes and the Prix de Diane would both be options for the winner.

Elusive Wave (3f Elusive City – Multicolour Wave by Rainbow Quest) was bred by Pier House Stud and was a 660,000 euros buy for American owner Martin Schwartz when offered at the Arqana Arc Sale last October.

She is by 2002 French Champion 2YO Elusive City (Elusive Quality) who shuttles to Haunui Stud in NZ.  He will stand for a NZ$8,000 (+ gst) fee this year.

Verglas was another southern shuttler in the spotlight at Longchamp on Sunday when his colt Silver Frost won the G1 French 2000 Guineas.

Silver Frost (3c Verglas – Hidden Silver by Anabaa) powered away to a convincing two length victory under Christophe Soumillon.   Prix Djebel winner Le Havre finished second followed by G1 winner Naaqoos.

“I followed the pace and when I pulled him out he quickened very well,” Soumillon said.  “He always gives his best, and his best attribute is his turn of foot.”

Silver Frost could now be pointed to the G1 French Derby on June 7 at Chantilly.  He was bred Ireland by Skymarc Farm and was a 95,000 euros Arqana graduate.  His sire Verglas (Highest Honor) shuttled to Alwyn Park in WA for two seasons and left the stakes winners Sheenasaidgrey, Spirited One and Verossi.

Alwyn Park is the new home for G1 Victoria Derby winner Helenus in 2009.