Zoustar Winner Zooms into Magic Millions Contention

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 23
Northern Meteor's champion son Zoustar broke the ice with his first winner at the Gold Coast on Saturday after exciting filly Sunlight scored an explosive victory that prompted bookmakers to put her on the third line of betting for the $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic next month.



Third in the Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial in early October, the Tony McEvoy trained filly was given a short break after that and tuned up for her return with a trial win at the Gold Coast on December 7.

Scratched from the Listed BRC Calway Gal Stakes last Saturday after drawing an outside gate, Sunlight ( race image Magic Millions Twitter) was a short priced favourite for the $60,000 open juvenile event over 900 metres and gave her rivals a galloping lesson.

She led for Luke Currie and controlled the race, before opening up at the furlong to put nearly five lengths on the field in a matter strides.

Sunlight clearly had a top gear that the others did not and her overall time of 50.42 seconds was half a second faster than the other division of the same race won by Katy's Daughter.

Her last 600 metres in 32.20 seconds told the story of her win and was a second quicker than Katy's Daughter.

Sunlight as a yearlingBookmakers have trimmed Sunlight from $15 this morning into $8 for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and she is currently on the third line of betting behind unbeaten Spirit of Boom youngsters Jonker and Ef Troop.

McEvoy said he believed before the race Sunlight would need another run and was still of that opinion after the race.

"There is an 1100-metre race a week before the Millions and at this stage that is where we are heading," McEvoy said.

"It is great to be in Queensland with a smart filly like this one."

A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Aquis/McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock, Sunlight runs for a ladies syndicate that includes Aquis Farm's Mrs Fung and has now won $52,000 in prizemoney ensuring her of a place in the field.

Bred by Widden Stud in partnership, Sunlight is a half-sister to Group III placed Sheikha and is the third winner from former speedy filly Solar Charged, winner of the Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes at her second start.

Widden Stud will offer the full sister to Sunlight at the Magic Millions next month as Lot 330 and you can see her below.



Shared between Widden Stud and Woodside Park Stud in Victoria, Zoustar has 24 entries for the Magic Millions, six for Inglis Classic and 37 for Inglis Premier.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.