Sunlight’s road to The Everest
Sunlight will have all her crucial tune-up runs for The Everest in Sydney after Tony McEvoy outlined his plan to give his star filly three starts heading into the $14 million feature.
16th July 2019. Credit Mitch Cohen & racenet
While currently still in work at Flemington, McEvoy confirmed on Tuesday his multiple Group I winner won’t race in Melbourne before the highly-coveted Randwick sprint on October 19.
McEvoy wants Sunlight to be battle-hardened on The Everest day, where she is a $9 chance with TAB.com.au, and intends to kick-off her preparation in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) on September 7 at Randwick.
He will more than likely give Sunlight a further two starts in The Shorts (1100m) on September 21 and Premiere Stakes (October 5), both at Randwick.
“The Sydney program fits a lot better and I can’t find a suitable race in Melbourne that I feel comfortable enough with,” McEvoy told Sky Sports Radio.
“Her history tells us the deeper into her preparation she gets, the better she gets.”
Sunlight was the fourth sprinter to confirm her spot in The Everest field after it was announced in late May she had secured the Max Whitby/Neil Werrett/Steve McCann/Colin Madden slot.
The filly is already a three-time Group I winner, claiming the Coolmore Stud Stakes last November before winning both the Newmarket and William Reid in March this year.
Sunlight’s career highlights to date video
Jockey Luke Currie piloted Sunlight in two of those Group Is and McEvoy confirmed he will continue his association with the daughter of Zoustar throughout her preparation for The Everest.
Sunlight has been back in work at Flemington in recent weeks and McEvoy has been impressed with what he’s seen so far.
“She has grown a little bit and lost all that puppy fat she had on her,” he said.
“She might have just stretched out a little bit.”
The Everest 2019 – Slot holders – runners
Aquis – Pierata
Boniface Ho and Carmel Size Racing – Classique Legend
TAB – Santa Ana Lane
Max Whitby and Neil Werrett – Sunlight
Inglis – In Her Time
The Star – Arcadia Queen
Yulong Investments – Redzel
Australian Turf Club/Melbourne Racing Club – TBA
Chris Waller Racing – TBA
Coolmore – TBA
James Harron – TBA
12th slot – Was Damion Flower, now Godolphin – TBA
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