| Bonny filly Sunshine in Paris emerged as one of the new rising stars on the three-year-old circuit with a thrilling win in today’s Group One Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. |
| Purchased as an untried two-year-old at last year’s National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, Sunshine in Paris snuck between runners to edge out Ruthless Dame, In Secret and Zougotcha. Trainer Annabel Neasham said the young talent, who was racing for just the fifth time in the Surround, was small in stature, but big in heart. “That was unbelievable. She’s so small you can’t see her,” a beaming Neasham said. “I’m half speechless, she’s an unbelievable filly. They’re very good fillies she’s just beaten there, I’m just so grateful to Michael and to Kelly Avison for letting me train her.” “She cost $90,000 from the mares sale. She’s just an absolute darling.” “We set her for this race, I couldn’t believe the price – I thought she was completely disregarded in the market. She ran to within less than a length to In Secret two weeks ago and she was always going to be improved for the 1400m.” “You never quite believe you are going to win these races but I’m just so proud of her.” “I’m not in shock, because I was actually disappointed she didn’t win the Light Fingers (two weeks ago). I thought she had the ability to be the best three-year-old filly around but obviously coming here today, such good fillies In Secret, Zougotcha and obviously Ciaron’s filly.” “Just seeing them fight out the finish like that was unbelievable. I stood with David Eustace, a good mate of mine and he thought he’d got it (with Ruthless Dame). I don’t think anyone noticed her, she’s so small.” “It was a brilliant ride by Ryan (Maloney) she just needed that bit of luck and I’m so happy for her owners.” The main issue Neasham and connections now have with Sunshine in Paris is working out where she heads. “We’ll see how she pulls up. I wonder whether the Coolmore might be a nice race for her over the 1500m at Rosehill, but she doesn’t need to do a whole lot more ever again.” “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with her, she’s just got so much upside. She’s not very big, but she’s so tough.” Winning rider Ryan Maloney was suitably impressed with the performance. “I was quite bullish about her prospects here because she didn’t see the winner until late the other day and she got going late, the last 50m.” “I thought if anything last start I was probably a little bit too close, it took a bit of the dash out of her. But when I landed where I did I was tickled pink and she done the rest.” It’s been an amazing rise through the ranks for Sunshine in Paris who was sold to Champagne Bloodstock for $90,000 last May on the Gold Coast at the National Broodmare Sale. She was offered through the Blue Sky Premium Consignment draft. Sunshine in Paris is the first Group One winner for her sire, former ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Invader (Snitzel). She is from a winning and Sydney placed Zabeel half sister to triple Group One Vosne Romanee and is a half sister to Melbourne Group winner Macroura. Winner: Sunshine in Paris Breeding: Invader-Zenaida (Zabeel) Breeder: Aquis Farm Race: ATC Surround Stakes G1 (1400m) Sold for: $90,000 Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale Vendor: Blue Sky Premium Consignment Buyer: Champagne Bloodstock Earnings: $519,700 Owner(s): Chip (Mgr: Ms KL Avison) Trainer: Annabel Neasham (Warwick Farm) |
