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.