The class of Group 1 Champions Sprint winner Sunshine In Paris shone brightly at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday, as the mare bravely conquered the heavy track conditions to claim a hard-fought victory in the $1.5 million Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m).

Sunshine In Paris (pictured winning the 2024 Champions Sprint) overcame a Heavy rated track to salute for the punters in the Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The win marked the first Group 1 of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and a triumphant return to elite-level success for the five-year-old daughter of Invader from the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald stable.

Sunshine In Paris ($3.30 favourite) proved her quality fourth-up this preparation, relishing the drop back to the six-furlong sprint after a lead-up third in Sydney’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) behind Jimmysstar.

This victory was her first since that memorable Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) triumph down the Flemington straight during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The mare reunited with her winning pilot from that Flemington feature, champion jockey James McDonald, who expertly guided her through the testing conditions.

Co-trainer Rob Archibald, speaking to Sky Thoroughbred Central, expressed his delight.

“Just so pleased for Sunshine In Paris, she’s been great all prep. She just hasn’t had a great draw and I’m just so happy that it worked out today. It’s just a great result.”

The Doomben 10,000 finish was a captivating spectacle, with Sunshine In Paris digging deep in the final strides to reel in the tenacious local hope Rothfire ($41), trained by Robert Heathcote, and secure the Group 1 prize.

“Rothfire was very brave and he’s a great horse in his own right,” Archibald acknowledged. “It was a real fight the last 50 (metres) and I’m just pleased we got a head in front.”

Adding further depth to the placings was the Chris & Corey Munce-trained Payline ($51), the first emergency, who finished a creditable half-length third.

The Munce stable enjoyed earlier success on the card with two-year-old Cool Archie winning the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic.

McDonald timed his run to perfection in the home straight, urging Sunshine In Paris to chase down Rothfire.

The mare responded gamely, closing the gap with powerful strides and ultimately prevailing right on the finish line.

Despite pre-race concerns about the Heavy (8) track, Sunshine In Paris handled the conditions admirably.

“We were very worried all day about the track,” Archibald revealed to Channel 7 post-race.

“I think class just prevailed in the end.

“I’m sure she didn’t look like she was loving it (the track) but great ride and a very tough mare.

“It’s just such a thrill and such a reward and very grateful to have a mare like her in our stable.”

Now a dual Group 1 winner and with her racing career extending into her rising six-year-old season, Sunshine In Paris is likely to remain in Queensland for the upcoming feature races.

The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1350m) on May 31 and the prestigious Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14 are potential targets.

Ladbrokes has already installed Sunshine In Paris as a $5 chance to win the 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup, with the mare potentially aiming to become the first horse to complete the Doomben 10,000 / Kingsford Smith Cup double since The Bostonian in 2019.

2025 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 Results

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