Faithful Filly Sunlight Fools the Boys in the Coolmore

November 3, 2018

Faithful Filly Sunlight Fools the Boys in the Coolmore

Trainer Tony McEvoy’s decision to take on the boys on Saturday paid off as three-year old filly Sunlight won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Matched up against a ferocious field of colts, two of which included speedsters Zousain and Written By, Sunlight fought back strongly down the straight, showcasing the dazzling turn of foot we’ve come to expect from this experienced sprinter.

Sunlight claimed her first Group 1 win on Saturday at Flemington. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.

The decision to back up following last week’s disappointing seventh in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley was reportedly an easy one after Sunlight looked lively in the paddock during the week.

As the only filly in the field, the win secured McEvoy his eighth Group 1 winner, although he was always confident Sunlight was up for the challenge.

“It was a big call to take these colts on with this filly,” McEvoy said after the race.

“But I’ve got such faith in her, and she was there for the fight today, and those colts had their chance to get her. She’s a courageous superstar, and couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Speed was the killer for Sunlight, who fought off a late challenge from Zousain down the straight – the colt also out of Zousain. 

Now with just under $3 million worth of prize-money to her name, it’s safe to say the win more than made up for last week’s shortcomings.

“It was no fault of anyone’s last time she just stepped slow and ended up in an awkward spot,” winning jockey Luke Currie said.

I was pretty glad I wasn’t on her back when she stepped slow like she did, but she flew out today.”

It was a tough, gutsy ride from Currie, who looked to dictate the pace early on the rails alongside Written By.

“Wasn’t sure whether I’d led Written By or it’d led us, but he was quite quick too, she come off it and relaxed, just off the buckle on the run and I knew she was going to be strong when she didn’t spend any petrol getting to the 500m” Currie went on to say.

This year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes was run in a time of 1:08.72, the fastest time since Nechita’s win in 2012 (1:08.50).

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off