Annabel Neasham is hoping Sunshine In Paris has done enough to attract the attention of Everest slot holders after her stunning first-up win in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill.
Relishing the strong speed set by Queen Of The Ball and I Am Me, Sunshine In Paris ($8.50) settled back in the field for Ryan Maloney before unleashing a withering sprint down the outside to score by a length over Espiona ($17) with Zapateo ($2.35 fav) the same margin away third.
Neasham had floated the Group 1 Surround Stakes winner as a potential Everest horse prior to Saturday and remained convinced the filly could be a force in the $20 million feature.
“We’re happy to take a spot,” Neasham said.
“I think she’s good enough, she’s shown that today.
“She was first-up and we had her ready to go, she’s the sort of filly that goes quite well fresh so she could just keep bobbling along to The Everest in the middle of October.”
Sunshine In Paris was put through the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May and was snapped up for $3.9 million by bloodstock agent James Harron on behalf of Fairway Thoroughbred’s John Camilleri.
Neasham was retained as her trainer and admitted to some pre-race nerves prior to her Sheraco Stakes (1200m) return.
“I was quite nervous before. She was obviously a big price tag at the mares’ sale so a bit of pressure racing her on and trying to get more Group Ones on the board for her,” Neasham said.
“She never used to be that straightforward but she’s very trainable now and we’ve had a really smooth preparation into this.
“I’m delighted as well for Ryan Maloney, who has given up the top dog job in Queensland to come down here. She was probably the drawcard for him, and he’s going to have a bit of fun on her over the next few starts.”
Maloney has no doubt Sunshine In Paris can measure up in an Everest and says the lightly raced mare is yet to peak.
“That’s next level. It was a good Everest audition that’s for sure,” Maloney said.
“To think that she’s come back even better than last prep, even though she was a Group One winner in her first prep and getting better with time, it’s pretty hard to say where the ceiling is.”
