Group 1 Winner for Invader as Sunshine In Paris Triumphs in Surround Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday February 25

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.

Only the nose of Sunshine In Paris is visible (image Steve Hart)

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).

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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.”

Sunshine In Paris (image Steve Hart)

“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.

There will be a lot of excitement at Segenhoe Stud, which consigns a Dubious half-brother to Sunshine In Paris to the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. He was a $145,000 pinhook for James Bester from the Three Bridges Thoroughbreds draft at the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

Segenhoe consigns this Dubious half-brother to Sunshine In Paris to the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale

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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Race Result - Drinkwise Surround Stakes Gr1 1400m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.84
1
Sunshine In Paris
- 3f Invader (AUS) x Zenaida (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Ryan Maloney 56
2
0.1
Ruthless Dame
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Ruthless Lady (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
3
0.2
In Secret
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Eloping (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Bowman 56
I Am Invincible
4
0.3
Zougotcha
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Fast Talker (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
5
1.3
Revolutionary Miss
- 3f Russian Revolution (AUS) x Purcentage (AUS) (Onemorenomore (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
6
1.5
Cinderella Days
- 3f Astern (AUS) x Ofcourseican (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: S Clipperton 56
7
1.6
Wolverine
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Knew It (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56
8
2.8
Sheeza Belter
- 3f Gold Standard (AUS) x Saxabelle (AUS) (Saxon (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: W Pike 56
9
3.0
Fireburn
- 3f Rebel Dane (AUS) x Mull Over (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: B Avdulla 56
10
3.1
Razeta
- 3f Deep Field (AUS) x Little Zeta (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: C Schofield 56
11
3.9
North Star Lass
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Sheila's Star (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
12
4.1
Madame Pommery
- 3f No Nay Never (USA) x Cancel (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Prebble 56
13
5.5
A Lot More Love
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Little Bita Love (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56
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