The Arc sectionals' verdict

The time tracking system engineered by McLloyd and put in place for the first time at ParisLongchamp on Sunday in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe proved extremely useful as the race turned into a stamina test that stretched the limits of the best horses to a demanding test. The sectional timing of every runner gave the public an opportunity to understand the whereabouts of the main favourites and explained why Waldgeist proved the best on the day. His rider Pierre-Charles Boudot managed to hold his mount at a regular speed, unlike most of his foes, who had to accelerate and slow down more brutally in the course of the race. Waldgeist's cruise speed remained within 4.1km/h, that of Sottsass in a 4.8km/h gap, while those of Japan (4th), Magical (5th) and Enable (2nd) varied by 5.5km/h to 6.1km/h. In other terms, Waldgeist is the only favourite whose fastest and slowest furlong, the first and the last apart, were less than a second apart.

He also finished his race in 12''72 for the last furlong, while all his rivals took over 13'' to cover those last 200 yards. One should note that a few of them had climbed up the hill, early in the race, at a pace of less than 12'' per furlong, a timing on a very soft ground which must have taken its toll.