Zoustar Winner Zooms into Magic Millions Contention

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 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.

Bookmakers 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 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 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.

Zoustar has 24 entries for the Magic Millions, six for Inglis Classic and 37 for Inglis Premier.