Sunlight has become the early favourite for the Golden Slipper after scoring a dominant win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) this afternoon.
Sunlight stamped herself as a serious chance of winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with consecutive and easy wins at the Gold Coast leading into this afternoon’s race, and her superior turn of foot made sure of the result this afternoon.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Luke Currie allowed the filly to stride forward, but ran into early interference when caught three-abreast with Witherspoon and Ef Troop crossing over from the outside of the field.
Settling into a nice run in the box seat, the Zoustar filly stalked Ef Troop into the final straight and easily joined the speedy local at the fore of the field with 200m to travel, savaging the line for a million-dollar payday.
$101 shot Fullazaboot produced arguably the run of the race to swoop home on the outside of the field to finish a strong second, while Ef Troop was passed in the final strides of the race by stable mate Outback Barbie ($26).
A Victorian-trained filly, Sunlight has been in Queensland for more than three weeks and trainer Tony McEvoy believes that was key in this afternoon’s dominant Magic Millions 2YO Classic win.
“I think the key was getting her here when he got her here,” the in-form trainer said.
“She’s acclimatised well, she’s got great composure and that preparation of running last week, she the high pressure was on, she lifted late.
“She’s a star filly and I’m very proud and pleased to be training her.
“It’s just absolutely superb and for the girls who own her, what a ride they’ve had and what a great concept this is.”
Currie was typically brilliant aboard Sunlight this afternoon, but he was quick to lay all the praise on the ability of the horse after dismounting.
“It helps when you’ve got a fair bit of horse underneath you – it’s like driving a V8 against a Mini Minor,” Currie said.
“She was brilliant today and was just too good for them. She didn’t spring well, but I still used her and tried to stay inside Ef Troop and he seemed to veer over very quickly.
“It was important to try and hold the spot there and once he went, it was a matter of sitting off it and not getting to it too soon.
“I knew a few of the boys would have been in a bit of trouble back behind us and would have to pick up a fair bit from there. She never felt like she was going to be beaten.”
Sunlight has firmed into $7 favouritism in our early 2018 Golden Slipper betting market following this afternoon’s impressive win.