Sunlight Wins Exciting Edition of Silver Slipper Stakes
Sunlight has beaten Estijaab in an exciting Silver Slipper. Photo: Steve Hart

Sunlight Wins Exciting Edition of Silver Slipper Stakes

Magic Millions winner Sunlight has continued her impressive career start at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon; beating fellow Golden Slipper favourite Estijaab in an outstanding edition of the Group 2 Silver Slipper (1100m).

Sunlight was tied on the top line of our 2018 Golden Slipper market with three rivals prior to the Silver Slipper, but she has now firmed into tied $5 favouritism with Estijaab alone.

With Luke Currie electing to stay in Melbourne for Blue Diamond Stakes Day, Tim Clark took the ride on Sunlight for the first time this afternoon and elected to take a position on the heels of early leaders Neutrality and Estijaab, who injected plenty of early tempo into the race.

Clark led the filly into the race as the small field turned for home and locked in a fierce sprint battle with Estijaab; opening a big gap on their rivals as both juveniles attempted to take bragging rights from the key form indicating race.

Sunlight enjoyed a slightly better run in transit that her leading rival and was subsequently a head better when the post final appeared.

Stable representative Calvin McEvoy was on hand for Sunlight’s Silver Slipper Stakes win and was understandably thrilled with the filly’s performance.

“That was incredible, wasn’t it,” McEvoy said after the race.

“I think we learnt something about her today as well. When those other two elected to go out in front, Tim just asked her to come back and she did and she did it nicely.

“She just raced like a true professional today and she’s going to have another run into the Slipper, but she’s such a good-doing filly and that was all class there.

“She was forward enough and we knew she’d run well, but there’s still improvement to come which is why I have a big smile on my face.”

Clark delivered a gem of a ride aboard Sunlight to win the Silver Slipper and was pleased to get the ability to fill in for Currie this afternoon.

“She was really good. I had a feel of her during the week and I just thought that it was a lovely race for her, although there was a couple of good chances,” he said.

“It worked out ideal for me early. I was happy to be outside the leader when Blake (Shinn, Neutrality) went up and I just couldn’t go with him. We came back and just settled and had a nice trail on them. That was the difference.

“They obviously put a pretty good margin on the rest. Estijaab got softened up, but my filly probably has more fitness improvement.

“They are two nice fillies and it was a privilege to warm the saddle for Luke.”

There is likely-to-be more moves in our Golden Slipper market following this afternoon’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.