First G1 Performer for Deep Field

Deep Field has made a slashing start to the season as leading sire of Australian three year-old winners and one of those winners is exciting filly Xilong, who became his first Group I performer on Saturday when she finished a close third in the Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m).

A stakes-winner at her last run in the spring, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained Xilong was resuming from a spell and taking on the best field of three year-old fillies assembled in Australia this season.

Easy in the market in the face of such stiff opposition that included Group I winners Funstar, Kiamichi, Flit and Lyre as well as Kiwi star Probabeel, Xilong rose to the challenge.

Xilong raced on the pace and led for home, fighting off all challengers until collared late by eventual winner Probabeel and runner-up Funstar to be beaten three-quarters of a length into third place.

With four wins and three placings from seven starts, Xilong has already won over $260,000 and will be super competitive in all the fillies races during the autumn.

A $360,000 Inglis Easter purchase for McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the Newgate Farm draft, Xilong was foaled and raised at Newgate Farm and is the third winner for Group III winner Pane in the Glass.