Sunshine In Paris too good in the Doomben 10,000

In a dramatic finish to the Doomben 10,000 (1200m), Sunshine In Paris stormed home late to deny veteran sprinter Rothfire a fairytale win, securing her third Group 1 victory and a first at the elite level for training duo Annabel and Rob Archibald.

Rothfire looked poised to land an emotional triumph after surging to the lead in the straight, but Sunshine In Paris, expertly ridden by James McDonald, powered down the outside to get up in the final bounds. It was a breakthrough result for the Archibalds, who recently celebrated their wedding and now celebrate a career milestone.

“I am just so pleased for Sunshine In Paris. She has been great all prep but she just hasn’t had a great draw and I am so happy that it worked out today,” Rob Archibald said.

“(Owners) John and Deb (Camilleri) for being brave enough and supportive today to run her on a track that probably isn’t her best.

“Annabel back home, I know she would be cheering very loudly. She loves this mare, as does everyone that is involved with her.”

Sunshine In Paris had previously struggled on heavy ground, but she overcame those doubts to add the Doomben 10,000 to her 2023 Surround Stakes and Champions Sprint wins, confirming her as one of the country’s premier mares.

McDonald, reuniting with the five-year-old for the first time since last spring, admitted he thought Rothfire had pinched it in the final stages.

“He was as tough as they come,” McDonald said.

“I was worried at the furlong I wasn’t going to get to him but he probably had a little bit tougher run than what we did and my mare kept surging.

“But credit to him. He gave me a hell of a fright.”

At huge odds, local galloper Payline ran on strongly to snatch third, adding extra spice to the finish in a race that lived up to its billing.

With Sunshine In Paris back in winning form, punters can find futures markets and Group 1 betting opportunities at top Australian betting sites.