Sunnycoast chases city breakthrough

By Glenn Davis

Talented Rockhampton sprinter Sunnycoast is yet to win a race in Brisbane despite several attempts, but trainer Jamie McConachy is hoping the law of averages is on his side.

The Toowoomba-born McConachy has made numerous attempts to land a metropolitan winner in recent years, with his only success coming courtesy of top mare Cherry Rose at Doomben in November of 2024.

McConachy hopes Sunnycoast can deliver an overdue city breakthrough if the six-year-old books a ticket to the Country Stampede Final at Doomben in December.

Sunnycoast faces a crucial test when he heads to Gladstone on Saturday for the Country Stampede qualifier over 1000 metres, needing a strong performance to secure a berth in the 1110 metre feature.

A son of Sebring Sun, Sunnycoast is coming off a sixth-place finish behind the highly rated Mississippi Morn in the 1000 metre Emerald Lightning on October 10.

Mississippi Morn also had Sunnycoast’s measure at their previous meeting at Emerald last month, when the Rockhampton sprinter finished second to his Bundaberg rival.

“He slipped at the start at Emerald last start, so it was a good run, but I don’t think he would have beaten Mississippi Morn,” McConachy said.

Sunnycoast will again face Mississippi Morn in the Country Stampede qualifier, but McConachy is hoping to turn the tables.

“Sunnycoast will be a lot harder to beat this time,” McConachy said.

“He’s only got 57kg and he hasn’t carried that weight for a long time.

“He’s got to win or run second to qualify for the Final, as he’s met all the other conditions to get into the Final.”

McConachy sent Sunnycoast south for last year’s Country Stampede Final, where he finished second to Smiling Zac.

Sunnycoast also contested the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm in June, but finished well back behind William Pugsley’s Roll Up.

“I put blinkers on him for the Battle of the Bush Final, but he bolted on Ryan Wiggins,” McConachy said.

Williams accepted with Mississippi Morn in qualifying heats at both Gympie and Gladstone after concerns about the fate of the meetings amid the current deluge affecting Queensland.

However, Williams favoured Gladstone, where Mississippi Morn received 55.5kg compared with 62kg at Gympie.

He has booked regular rider Gabrielle Semmens, who has won seven times aboard the five-year-old.

Mississippi Morn is chasing his seventh consecutive win after a dominant victory over the Glenda Bell-trained Invictus Lad in the Emerald Lightning on October 10.