McEvoy filly at her destructive best in mesmerising Light show

TONY McEvoy’s meticulously planned Magic Millions preparation for Sunlight is only one week from coming to fruition after the Zoustar filly trounced her rivals on the Gold Coast.

Sit-and-steer job: jockey Luke Currie pilots Sunlight to win the QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap. Picture: AAP

TONY McEvoy’s meticulously planned Magic Millions preparation for Sunlight is only one week from coming to fruition after the Zoustar filly trounced her rivals on the Gold Coast.

In the same race Houtzen and Le Chef won before their Magic Millions successes, Sunlight posted a new class record in a slick 62.48sec on Saturday, winning by a similar margin to her previous win at the Coast.

Tab.com.au immediately trimmed Sunlight’s quote from $7 to $5 and a short time later she was into $4.50, with punters clearly liking what they saw.

Sunlight has shortened into equal $4.50 second favourite for the Magic Millions Classic. Picture: AAP

McEvoy has planned this preparation to the minute and made a deliberate plan to get to Queensland early and acclimatise.

“It’s a really hard race to win from down south. We decided this year that by race time I wanted her to think she was a local,” he said.

“To have had two starts at the track and handle it the way she has gives us a lot of confidence.”

You have to go back to 2008 (Augusta Proud) to find the last Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner trained outside of Queensland or New South Wales.

Quite differently to a fortnight ago, McEvoy was completely satisfied after inspecting Sunlight post-race.

Jockey Luke Currie eases down Sunlight after her sizzling performance. Picture: AAP

“She’s pulled up as clean as a whistle. She hasn’t blown up at all like last time,” he said before indicating Sunlight will be given “a light week” with a couple of trips to Nudgee Beach on the agenda.

Sunlight into $4.50 for next week's @mmsnippets Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Jonker still holds favouritism at $4.
Ef Troop $4.50
Bondi $11
Meryl $15
Quackerjack $15

Bet: https://t.co/VnM9bDPh2h

— TAB (@tabcomau) January 6, 2018

SUNLIGHT!!! Smashes em!!! Woohoo!! Well done to @mcevoymitchell & Luke Currie! Bring on the @mmsnippets Raceday! 🇦🇺🐴🤑💰💸

— Shona Drechsler 🇦🇺 (@ShonaDrechsler) January 6, 2018

What a cracker field this years gonna be for the 2yo magic millions, jonker, sunlight and Ef troop wowee

— john kissick (@jkissick30) January 6, 2018

Wow. Just wow. Sunlight, so bright. 💪 pic.twitter.com/OK4Nc2aDuF

— McEvoy Mitchell R (@mcevoymitchell) January 6, 2018

Wow, ultra impressive!

Sunlight dominates her rivals once again leaving the smart Terminology and Paquirri in her wake. It's the same race Houtzen dominated last year, will we see the same result next week? pic.twitter.com/ZSoSbr4NSh

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 6, 2018

Whoever draws best probably runs favourite in Magic Millions. Should be a ripper clash between the Big 3. #Sunlight #horseracing

— Stephen Rodgers (@Steve_Rodgers) January 6, 2018

Jockey Luke Currie said this race was the perfect lead-up for Sunlight, because she had pressure applied from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Terminology midrace.

“I thought that horse would pressure her and I’m glad she’s been able to absorb that mid-race pressure and keep running,” Currie said.

“The other day she got there very quick, did it with ease and then sprinted away.

“Today she had to keep grinding out those sectionals and she was able to do that and come away again.

“She felt a bit fitter, a little bit more mature.

Jockey Luke Currie returns to scale Sunlight’s dominant performance. Picture: AAP

“She flew the machines today, which she didn’t the other day. A bit more relaxed and more at ease being at the races and hopefully she comes on from that next week.”

Asked if he was forced to take a sit next week Currie said he didn’t think it would be a problem.

“She seems kind enough, but it would be nice to have the same scenario as we did today,” he said.

McEvoy described it as “an easy watch” and described Sunlight as a “high class filly.”

“She’s very feisty, like all good girls. She doesn’t like to let too many people into her space. She will bare her teeth at you, but once you get in her, she loves a cuddle. She’s very kind and lovely and honest.”

Originally published as McEvoy filly at her destructive best in mesmerising Light show