Winx’s half-sister City Of Lights set for debut after false start

Posted by RS NewsWire at 7:51am on June 4th

After a false start last week, Winx's half-sister City Of Lights is set to make her debut this Sunday.

The daughter of Deep Impact and Vegas Showgirl is down to run in the 1418-metre three-year-old fillies maiden that is the fourth race on the Geelong card and is scheduled to run at 1:55PM AEST.

City Of Lights was an acceptor for a 1300m race at Cranbourne last Friday night, but was withdrawn on race morning owing to a Heavy track and co-trainer Sam Freedman said Sunday's 1418m race shaped as a better option where she is the current $3.70 favourite with Ladbrokes.

"Cranbourne was pretty bottomless (and) we weren't that keen to see her on a bottomless track at her first start," Freedman said.

"She's a filly with good talent, but she'd probably be a miler I would suggest."

City Of Lights will become the fourth to race from Vegas Showgirl, whose second foal was four-time Cox Plate winner and $26m earner Winx, a daughter of Street Cry.

Four other products of Vegas Showgirl did not race with Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino, a son of Snitzel, her best to date outside of Winx.

City Of Lights is the result of a union between Vegas Showgirl and Japanese legend Deep Impact in spring 2018 and Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, is not surprised she has taken until late in her three-year-old season to get to the races.

"She's just been a little bit immature and, by Deep Impact, she's obviously going to improve with a bit of age and some racing," Freedman said of the filly who was bred by her owner, John Camilleri.

"We haven't wanted to rush her and her owner's been happy to be patient. We wanted to make sure she's going really before we head to the races with that pedigree, but she's ready to go."

Ben Allen has the ride on City Of Lights at Geelong with the pair to jump from the inside alley in the capacity field of 14.

More Racing News

Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup

Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...

Today

Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend

Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...

Today

Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip

Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...

Today

Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa

Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...

Yesterday

Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes

Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...

Yesterday

Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes

Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...

Yesterday

SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup

Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...

Yesterday

Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win

Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...

Yesterday

Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer

Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...

Dec 3rd

Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes

Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...

Dec 3rd