A massive boost for the career of Aquis Stud’s young Snitzel stallion Invader when his first crop daughter Sunshine In Paris scythed between runners to capture Saturday’s $600,000 Group 1 Drinkwise Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Ryan Maoney for Annabel Neasham, Sunshine In Paris defeated the Tavistock filly Ruthless Dame by a short-half-head, with the I Am Invincible filly In Secret a half-head back in third, inches ahead of fourth-placed Zougotcha (Zoustar).
Sunshine In Paris has been a model of consistency since making a winning debut at Canberra last November. Taken to Queensland, she finished third in the Listed Mode Plate. Following a spell, the diminutive daughter of Invader was edged out by InSecret In The Group II Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick on February 11.
“That was unbelievable. She’s so small you can’t see her,” Annabel Neasham enthused.
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uo;I’m half speechless, she’s an unbelievable filly. She’s just beaten very good fillies there. I’m just so grateful to Michael and to Kelly Avison for letting me train her. She cost $90,000 from the mares sale. She’s just an absolute darling.
“We set her for this race. I couldn’t believe the price. I thought she was completely disregarded in the market. She ran to within less than a length to In Secret two weeks ago, and she was always going to be improved for the 1400m. You never quite believe you are going to win these races but I’m just so proud of her.
“I’m not in shock because I was actually disappointed she didn’t win the Light Fingers (two weeks ago). I thought she had the ability to be the best three-year-old filly around, but obviously coming here today, such good fillies In Secret, Zougotcha obviously Ciaron’s (Maher) filly (Ruthless Dame). Just seeing them fight out the finish like that was unbelievable. I stood with David Eustace, good mates of mine and he thought he’d got it (with Ruthless Dame). I don’t think anyone noticed her, she’s so small. Brilliant ride by Ryan (Maloney), she just needed that bit of luck, and I’m so happy for her owners.”
“She probably put the writing on the wall, although it was only a benchmark race, back before Christmas time. Just the way she won here against the older horses was very impressive so from that day we set this race for her target and it’s not often a plan works out but it has today.”
“We’ll see how she pulls up. I wonder whether the Coolmore might be a nice race for her over the 1500m at Rosehill, but she doesn’t need to do a whole lot more ever again. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with her, she’s just got so much upside. She’s not very big, but she’s so tough.”
Bred by Aquis Farm, Sunshine In Paris was consigned by Blue Sky Premium Consignment to the 2020 National Broodmare Sale, where Champagne Bloodstock snapped her up for $90,000.
She is a three-quarter sister to Group III Typhoon Tracy Stakes winner Macroura (Snitzel) out of the winning Zabeel mare Zenaida.
A $240,000 purchase for Paul Willetts Bloodstock from the Willow Park Stud draft at the 2021 National Broodmare Sale, Zenaida is a half-sister to New Zealand Horse Of Thre Year Vosne Romanee.
After missing in 2021, Zenaida was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.
Sunshine In Paris honours Aquis Farm’s Invader with his first stakes winner.
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