Sunlight Shines in G3 Quezette

Tara Madgwick - Saturday Aug 18
One of the very best two year-old fillies of last season having won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and placed in the Golden Slipper, Sunlight was back in top form at Caulfield on Saturday when scoring a thrilling victory in the Group III MRC Quezette Stakes Stakes.



The Tony McEvoy trained daughter of Zoustar went to Adelaide when resuming from a spell and was beaten comprehensively by boom sprinter Nature Strip in the Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes, but emerged a fitter filly for the experience.

Sunlight - images Grant CourtneyShe settled just off the pace for Luke Currie and was determined to the line to win the 1100 metre dash by half a head taking her overall record to six wins and three placings from nine starts with prizemoney in excess of $2.2 million.

"She's a superstar filly," said Tony McEvoy.

"She blew out in Adelaide the other day and was beaten by a better horse (Nature Strip), but today was the Sunlight of old.

"The Coolmore Stud Stakes (Group I) is the one we want, so we might go to the Danehill Stakes (Group II) next so she can have a look at the Flemington straight."

A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase for Aquis/McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Blue Sky Bstock from the Widden Stud draft, Sunlight was bred in partnership by Widden Stud, whose Katie Thompson also shares in her ownership.

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.

Solar Charged has a two year-old full sister to Sunlight who was knocked down to McEvoy Mitchell Racing/David Redvers Bloodstock for $600,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Solar Charged has a yearling Sebring colt and will foal again this spring to Widden Stud's outstanding young sire Zoustar, who stands this spring at a fee of $60,500.




Advertisment
More Reading...
Wild Ruler Winner Impressive at Warwick Farm
Annabel and Rob Archibald have high hopes for Wild Ruler 3YO Priory Park, who confirmed their good opinion of him when scoring a dominant win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with James McDonald in the saddle.
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Unraced First Season Sires Trial Report
It’s been a pretty steady start to spring in terms of 2YO races and we are still waiting to see a first season sire post a winner, but there has been action aplenty at the trials which would indicate the pre-Christmas period is set to ignite.
Super Seth 3YO Leads Waller First Four in $100,000 Super Maiden
The $100,000 Super Maiden (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday delivered a first four for the Chris Waller stable with victory going to the well backed favourite Quarterback, who has a half-brother to be offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale next week.
Redwood Gelding wins G3 TAB Mile
The late money for Coulthard in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) proved astute on Wednesday, with the Central Districts raider dashing home to claim the Riccarton feature.
Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000
It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.