Hot off the back of a trifecta in the South Australian Oaks, The Autumn Sun kept the run going when Coco Sun provided a first Group 1 hometown success for Jamie Kah in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Thomas Farms South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Coco Sun kept up a relentless gallop to defeat the progressive Warmonger (War Decree) by one and a quarter lengths with three-quarters of a length back to the brave front runner Air Assault (Justify) in third.
The winner of the Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate last season, Coco Sun advances her record to five wins and a third from 11 starts with earnings of $836,060.
“It’s very exciting. These are the races we like to win,” Tony McEvoy said.
“She’s a really good filly. Calvin was here last week and both he and Jamie (Kah) were so bullish about backing her up. I spoke to the owner - Terry Jarvis - who’s in New Zealand, and Terry backed us and said ‘if the filly is fine, go ahead’. Very special.”
“She ran really well in all races last spring. She was just getting run off her feet in the early ones and then ran fifth in the Wakeful, competitive enough for us to run her in the (VRC) Oaks. She actually ran really well in the Oaks, she didn’t quite run it out in the spring, but she’s developed beautifully. She’s the most gorgeous filly and I’m very proud of her.
“Jamie had so much faith in her. She said to me she wanted to bounce out and put her there, and the only question I had was the 2500 (metres), but you don’t argue with Jamie Kah. She gave her just a beautiful trip and the filly stayed it beautifully.
“I can’t thank her (Kah) enough for what she did for my brand and my stable. She kept beating me and I thought ‘how am I going to change this?’ The only way I could do it was to get her on board. Sadly, she out-grew me, which was always going to be the way, but she’s been a star forever and I love her.
“It’s five weeks now to the Queensland Oaks. Terry Jarvis will be looking for some sun out of New Zealand, so if she’s well, we’ll go to the Oaks.”
Jamie Kah said it was a thrill to win a Group 1 before family and friends in her home state.
“Its amazing. The Club has put up such good prize money this year and it was never going to be easy,” Kah said.
“I had a great ride today. I had a great ride last weekend, but it obviously didn’t go my way. Today it did and for the old boss too. He’s put up with me for a long time.
“John (Macmillan) is here, so I’ve got to thank Johnny. He set me up, got me going and had me stay with Mick Price and got me going there and then I got going with Tony.
“I had so many years here riding with Tony and so many winners and he looked after me so well, so it’s nice to repay him.
“All that I wanted to do was ride a Group 1 winner in Adelaide in front of Mum and Dad and family and all those that have supported me.”
Bred by Wallings Bloodstock, Coco Sun was a $250,000 purchase for McEvoy Mitchell Racing / Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
She is a half-sister to stakes-placed Nymphadora and is the best of three winners from five to race for the Encosta de Lago mare Miss Hufflepuff, who was a $470,000 purchase for Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA)/Tyreel Stud from the Rothwell Park draft at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale. She is a sister to the champion Hong Kong stayer Liberator and stakes-placed Pink Siris (the dam of Group II BRC The Roses winner Etana and stakes-placed Echo Gal).
First Light Racing / Tony & Calvin McEvoy / Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) shelled out $240,000 for Miss Hufflepuff’s So You Think filly consigned by Tyreel Stud to the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
After missing in 2022, Miss Hufflepuff visited The Autumn Sun again last spring.
Coco Sun is the third Group 1 winner for Arrowfield Stud's The Autumn Sun, after ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel and SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun.
The son of Redoute’s Choice stands remains unchanged at 66,000, subject to his recovery from a pelvic injury.
