Sunshine In Paris, trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, has claimed a thrilling victory in the 2024 Champions Sprint results at Flemington on Stakes Day.
Sunshine In Paris winning the 2024 Champions Sprint. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Ridden by the masterful James McDonald, the mare produced a powerful finish to edge out 40/1 outsider Right To Party and secure the prestigious Group 1 title fourth-up for the spring.
“She was amazing,” Neasham, who claimed her first Group 1 in partnership with Archibald, told Channel 9 after the race.
“I was a little worried pre-race because she was parading quietly. But she’s just got such a strong finish.”
McDonald’s brilliant ride was crucial to the victory. “I didn’t know who won. I had the grey horse to my inside, and I would have been a certainty beaten if I didn’t get out,” the now four-time Champions Sprint winning jockey said. “But I had the mare to do it, and geez, I’m rapt.”
Sunshine In Paris’ consistent form throughout the spring, including a strong performance when in The Everest, set her up perfectly for this victory.
Ciaron Maher‘s The Everest – Russell Balding Stakes double winning mare Bella Nipotina, the pre-race favourite, finished a brave third losing few admirers after hitting the front briefly before the driving finish by Sunshine In Paris and the grey outsider.
“She’s a phenomenal racehorse and what we’ve asked her to do, you can see how she’s so competitive again today. What a great and amazing mare and looking forward to when she comes back,” Bella Nipotina’s jockey Craig Williams said.
2024 Champions Sprint Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | SUNSHINE IN PARIS | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | James McDonald | 9 | 56.5kg | $5 | |||
| 2 | 9 | RIGHT TO PARTY | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Jye McNeil | 0.15L | 3 | 56.5kg | $31 | ||
| 3 | 5 | BELLA NIPOTINA | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 0.3L | 12 | 56.5kg | $4.40F | ||
| 4 | 10 | STRETAN ANGEL | Phillip Stokes | Luke Nolen | 0.76L | 5 | 56.5kg | $71 | ||
| 5 | 11 | PRIVATE LIFE | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 1.22L | 8 | 53.5kg | $31 | ||
| 6 | 4 | BARAQIEL | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Ben Allen | 2.22L | 1 | 58.5kg | $12 | ||
| 7 | 1 | GIGA KICK | Clayton Douglas | Mark Zahra | 2.37L | 7 | 58.5kg | $5 | ||
| 8 | 2 | OVERPASS | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 3.37L | 2 | 58.5kg | $6.50 | ||
| 9 | 8 | ESTRIELLA | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 3.77L | 4 | 56.5kg | $26 | ||
| 10 | 7 | LADY LAGUNA | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Nash Rawiller | 3.97L | 6 | 56.5kg | $17 | ||
| 11 | 12 | BELLATRIX STAR | Mark Walker | Michael Dee | 5.72L | 10 | 51.5kg | $11 | ||
| 12 | 3 | I AM UNSTOPPABLE | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 8.97L | 11 | 58.5kg | $21 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.
