Jockey Luke Currie has issued a word of warning as Sunlight makes her spring return in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
While looking forward to reuniting with the mare in Saturday’s race, Currie believes Sunlight will be improved by the hit-out.
Currie has a strong association with Sunlight having been aboard in eight of her 10 wins including the Magic Millions Classic along with the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes and William Reid Stakes.
Sunlight is being aimed at The Everest which carries $14 million prize money with trainer Tony McEvoy, who recently took on son Calvin in a training partnership, sending the mare to Sydney to prepare for world’s richest sprint.
Currie, who has ridden Sunlight in her two barrier trials ahead of Saturday’s return, both at Randwick, is looking forward to getting back aboard Sunlight under race day conditions.
“She’s going well but I wouldn’t say she’s at her best yet,” Currie said.
“There’s still a long way to go until The 2019 Everest and she’s not fully wound up.
“She’s trialled really well but I thought in her last trial she needed that a little bit and she’ll probably need the day out on Saturday.
“I’m not saying she can’t win, but she’ll be better for the run.”
Sunlight meets a quality line-up on Saturday including fellow Everest contenders Redzel and Pierata with Nature Strip, Graff and Zoustyle putting their credentials on the line for an Everest slot.
Currie said Sunlight improved as her campaign progressed.
She won the Newmarket Handicap with lightweight rider Barend Vorster aboard during the autumn second-up after running third in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
“She’d been screwed down a bit more for the Lightning but she’d had enough late and then raced her way into fitness,” Currie said.
“Second-up she was spot on and that’s what we’re looking for this time.”
Sunlight has drawn the widest gate in Saturday’s six-horse field and is the $5 second favourite.
Nature Strip heads betting at $2.30 for his first outing since running fourth in the Doomben 10,000 in May while Zoustyle has met with support, firming from $8 to $6.50.
