Sunshine In Paris ($5.50) has claimed her second Group 1 success of her career, following a barnstorming finish in the Champions Sprint at Flemington.
For the ninth time at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, James McDonald pulled the right reign on the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained mare, who was well backed with horse racing bookmakers and duly saluted in a tight photo finish.
As expected, the 1200m contest was run at a solid tempo down the Flemington straight, with Overpass ($6.50) and Estriella ($23) leading the field as they all moved towards the outside rail to find the best ground.
When the field hit the course proper with 450m to go, the leaders began to struggle, and Bella Nipotina ($4.20) took over with Baraqiel ($13).
McDonald held a strong grip on the eventual winner as he was looking for a run between the tiring pacemakers, and Jye McNeil set off towards the inside of runners on Right To Party ($41).
Right To Party sprinted quickly to join Bella Nipotina in the lead before McDonald found a gap at the 150m mark with his mount.
In what was a driving finish, Sunshine In Paris launched late and got her head down on the line between the leading duo, defeating Right To Party and Bella Nipotina in that order.
2024 Champions Sprint replay – Sunshine In Paris
Annabel Neasham represented the winning stable in the post-race interview.
“I feel bad. I wish Rob was standing here,” Neasham said.
“I did ask him if he wanted to do it. He said, no, I’ll do Sydney, but no, it was the first person I rang as soon as she crossed the line and I know what that’ll be feeling like for him.
“She’s been a great horse.
“She’s obviously already won that Group 1, but not in the new ownership with John Camilleri.
“So, I’m just delighted for him. He put so much into the sport and, he paid a hefty price for her, but she’s looking cheap now.
“She’s been there or thereabouts. She’s probably been a little far back in a few of her runs from awkward draws, but, yeah, fantastic ride by James.
“I actually thought mid-race she had come off the bridle a little, but she was still there and then she looked like she bridled up again and there was no room.
“But when you’ve got James on, you always, I suppose you sweat less because he just makes good decisions and the split came at the right time and it was her day today.”
James McDonald was also quick to mention Rob Archibald post-race.
“Rob would be over the moon obviously,” McDonald said.
“I’ve had a great association with Annabel and now Rob’s there. They’re a strong team, and their horses are firing.
“This mare was turned out immaculate, and she was ready to win.
“I was cursing myself a furlong from home as I didn’t want to go when the race built up, but I can’t say what I was saying at the furlong, but anyway, I was lucky I got away with it.
“It was just lucky.
“I had the right mare to do it and she was willing. She was a very willing partner, took the gap.
“I was probably lucky I didn’t really get too itchy and go for a gap I was anticipating to open.
“Anyway, it could have ended in tears, that’s for sure. I won’t take much credit for it.”
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