By Glenn Davis
The cream rose to the top when brilliant filly Sunlight claimed the $2 million Magic Millions Classic with a brilliant display at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Sunlight, ridden by Luke Currie, overcame a rough-house feature to down local hopes Fullazaboot by two lengths with Outback Barbie only a neck away, third.
Sunlight’s win saw her price shrink dramatically and is now challenging for favouritism for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill in April.
Trainer Tony McEvoy declared Sunlight as a top-class filly and believes she’s got the scope to proceed to the Golden Slipper.
“She’s a high-class filly and hasn’t put a foot wrong,” McEvoy said.
“She’s had such a blessed preparation I feel like a local.
“We’re going to the Golden Slipper now and she’s Slipper quality.”
The race was marred by severe interference to the heavily backed Jonker who was knocked out of the race early and finished last in the field of 16.
Sunlight’s win vindicated McEvoy’s decision to bring her to Queensland early to acclimatise to the humid conditions.
“We don’t get the humidity like this back home that’s why I sent her here early to get used to the conditions,” he said.
“It’s a hard race to win for interstate horses.”
Meanwhile an overseas trip could be in the wings for another South Australian Viddora following her win in the Magic Millions Snippets (1200m).
Viddora was ridden by Joe Bowditch who rode in Queensland for six years before returning to his home State.
Viddora, who was having her first start since winning the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on December 2, registered her eighth win in 24 starts with a decisive 2-1/4 length win over Snitzkraft.
“She’s got a devastating turn of foot and she pulled their pants down today,” said trainer Lloyd Kennewell.
“We’ve got an invitation to take her overseas but I can’t say where at this stage.
“But there’s plenty of options for her here including in Adelaide.”
Earlier connections of I’m A Rippa proved dreams do come true when the four-year-old won the Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).
I’m A Rippa jumped straight to the front and went on to down Secret Trail by a long neck.
The son of Love Conquers All was a bargain buy for $55,000 at the Magic Millions sales and has now earned almost $810,000 in prizemoney with five wins and as many placings from 21 starts.
“He’s a tough and courageous horse who makes his own luck and it’s been a dream come true for his owners who bought him and had a chance to win a $1 million race,” Gollan said.