Eur Elusive sprang a 25/1 shock in the penultimate race on the card at the Curragh this afternoon, the Tote Jackpot Races 3-6 Handicap, for her trainer John Hayden with seven pound claimer Ray Dawson in the saddle.
The lightly raced 4yo daughter of Elusive City had never won a race on her six starts before today. She started her career as a 2yo in Dundalk back in November of 2009 but only made her second start this year in May.
She ran well at Down Royal also in May where she finished just over five lengths behind Marvada in a maiden before running another good race at Naas finishing sixth, just over a length behind Six Of Hearts.
However she disappointed on her last two efforts at Naas and Limerick respectively but the trips of seven furlongs and a mile may not have suited her on those days.
Today she was always prominent behind the leader Ucanchoose before she took up the running a furlong and a half from home. She kept on well in the final furlong to score comfortably by a length and three parts. One Of Three who won twice at Limerick in June bounced back to form to finish second also at 25/1 while Ucanchoose, who adopted his usually front running tactics, kept on to take third at 14/1. Measured Approval completed the placing two lengths back in fourth at 18/1 while the 6/1 favourite Tornadodancer who was backed from 14/1 this morning, could only manage to finish a disappointing fourteenth under Fran Berry.
Winning trainer John Hayden said afterwards: "That's great, she's a good mare.
"She finished a good third in Down Royal earlier in the year behind Ken Condon's Marvada and that form has worked out well.
"There is a race for her back here on Moyglare day over six furlongs.
"She handled the good ground and Ray (Dawson) said the ground was perfect for her. Her dam (Europaea) won twice at the Curragh."
Donal Murphy
