Sunlight stamped herself as one of the best sprinters in the country with a simply outstanding win in the 2019 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington this afternoon.
Sunlight claimed yet another Group 1 victory in the Newmarket Handicap. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Barend Vorster settled Sunlight right on the speed in the early stages of the Newmarket Handicap and it proved to be a winning move.
She fought-off Graff at the 400 metre mark and had enough left in the tank to hold-off Brave Smash and a flying Osborne Bulls in the concluding stages.
Sunlight was not beaten far in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes three weeks ago and trainer Tony McEvoy revealed after the Newmarket Handicap that he always knew the Zoustar filly had plenty of improvement in her heading into this contest.
“She is an incredible filly isn’t she,” McEvoy said after the race.
“She keeps stepping-up to the plate and the further she gets into her prep the better she gets.
“She was so strong at the end of the 1200 metres today.
“I know the three-year-olds only get 50.5, but she is a three-year-old filly and she was taking on one of the best fields this race has seen.
“She has been a superstar up until today and she confirmed it today.
“She given us an amazing ride and she has been a pleasure to train.
“She blew up a little bit in the Lightning and the incredible thing with her, with her speed and her class, is that I haven’t been able to win first-up with her.
“She just takes the work, so we trialled her after the Lightning and that topped her off nicely for today.”
Sunlight has only had 14 race starts and has now won the: Magic Millions Classic, Silver Slipper Stakes, Magic Night Stakes, Quezette Stakes, Thoroughbred Club Stakes, Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap.
Osborne Bulls produced another eye-catching run to finish second behind Sunlight, Brave Smash produced a typically gallant effort to finish second in the Newmarket Handicap for the second year in a row.
The post 2019 Newmarket Handicap Results: Sunlight Wins appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
