Sunshine In Paris beats Australia’s best in G1 Champions Sprint

Annabel Neasham’s faith in Sunshine In Paris was rewarded when the classy mare upstaged Australia’s best sprinters in Saturday’s Champions Sprint at Flemington, but the victory did not come without a tinge of regret.

The Sydneysider was kicking herself for not insisting that her training partner Rob Archibald be trackside for the $3 million event.

Neasham has only been in partnership with Archibald since earlier this year and the victory was his first at Group 1 level.

Archibald watched on from Rosehill in Sydney and Neasham can’t wait to celebrate with him.

“I feel bad, I wish Rob was standing here, I did ask him if he wanted to do it but he said, ‘no, I’ll do Sydney’,” Neasham said.

“But he was the first person I rang as soon as she crossed the line and I know what that’ll be feeling like for him.”

Sunshine In Paris prevailed in a thrilling all-female finale to the 1200-metre weight-for-age event.

The daughter of Invader ($5) surged late to score by a short-head from Right To Party ($31), who flashed from last to just miss in her first try at Group 1 level, with The Everest winner Bella Nipotina ($4.40 fav) a further short-head away third.

Rounding out the top four was Stretan Angel ($71), who finished half-a-length clear of Caulfield Guineas winner Private Life ($31), who was the first colt or gelding home in fifth.

It was the second Group 1 win for Sunshine In Paris, who won the Surround Stakes as a three-year-old last year, only several weeks before being sold for $3.9 million at the National Broodmare Sale.

James Mcdonald scored at his first ride aboard Sunshine In Paris and was thrilled to play a part in Archibald’s first Group 1 win, which was his 103rd.

“Rob would be over the moon obviously, I’ve had a great association with Annabel and now Rob,” he said.

“They’re a strong team and their horses are firing. This mare was turned out immaculate and she was ready to win.”

The victory completed a running double for McDonald, who won the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes aboard Hinged, and took to nine his number of winners for the week.