Sunlight (Zoustar) showed the steely side of her nature when she produced a gallant performance to take top honours in Saturday’s G3 Winslow Group Quezette S., at Caulfield. The filly improved three wide to challenge on the turn and she pressed on strongly to score by a half-head.
She was a multiple stakes winner last season and finished third in the G1 Golden Slipper before a break. She resumed in last month’s Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville, but was no match for Nature Strip (Nicconi).
“I’ve never lost faith in her, she’s a superstar filly,” trainer Tony McEvoy said. “She went in on a light preparation for that first race and she takes a bit of work to get fit and she just blew out in Adelaide.
“The Coolmore is the race we want, but that’s a long way off yet so we’ll probably go to the Danehill. She’s got what everyone in Australia wants – speed.”
She’s got what everyone in Australia wants – speed.” - Tony McEvoy
Sunlight was reunited at Caulfield with Luke Currie, who won the G3 Magic Night S., on the filly last season and also partnered her in the Slipper. “She had a very busy 2-year-old season and did a wonderful job,” he said. “You couldn’t knock her if she didn’t come back, but today proves she’s on the right track.”
Runner-up Humma Humma (Denman) raced in a handy spot and finished well while Thrillster (Starspangledbanner) did a good job to overcome a wide gate to cut Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) out of third money.
Connections of Sunlight celebrate the win
Pedigree Notes
Sunlight was a $300,000 Magic Millions purchase and is out of Solar Charged (Charge Forward), a dual Group 3 winner. She is the dam of two other winners, including the black type performer Sheika (Sebring). The dam is also a half-sister to the Listed Tasmanian Oaks winner Causeway Queen (Giant’s Causeway {AUS}).
