Vorster basks in fabulous Sunlight

STAR filly Sunlight has given jockey Barend Vorster a memorable start to his new life in Australia, with the pair combining to win the time-honoured Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

South African Vorster had ridden successfully in Singapore for the past 15 years and only arrived in Australia late last week to take up a role as stable jockey for trainer Tony McEvoy in South Australia.

Vorster was called on by McEvoy to ride Sunlight in yesterday’s $1.25 million Newmarket (1200m) in Melbourne as the star filly’s light weight of 50.5kg was below the range of her regular rider Luke Currie but in Vorster’s comfort zone.

In a star-studded field of 22 runners, which included seven individual Group 1 winners and a host of up-and-coming sprinters, Sunlight showed her customary speed and then also displayed her tenacity to hold off all her challengers.

“Australia is my new home now and what a way to start it off,” Vorster said. “When I saw the post become available (with McEvoy) I put my name in the hat.

“Singapore has been good to me but I just felt a change was coming. And what a change to have.

“Australia is my new home now and what a way to start”

“He’s a good trainer and he’s got good horses, so I like to be associated with that.”

After taking up the running on Sunlight ($13), Vorster said he let the filly stride along coming to the 400m and then she quickened away when he asked her to extend.

Favourite Osborne Bulls ($4.20) flashed home late from back in the field to finish threequarters of a length away in second, while Brave Smash ($26) was another short halfhead away third.

Sunlight, who also boasts a Magic Millions Classic win as a two-year-old and a Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes win among her nine victories from 14 starts, is the first three-yearold filly since Alinghi in 2005 to win the Newmarket.

“Isn’t she something special,” a proud McEvoy said.

“She’s an incredible filly. She keeps stepping up to the plate.”