High praise for Currie courage

TONY McEvoy paid tribute to Luke Currie’s courage in the early stages of the interference marred Magic Millions Classic saying that was the difference between Sunlight winning and losing.

McEvoy was amazed and relieved Sunlight escaped from the race with only “one or two nicks”.

The race was marred in the early stages when Ef Troop cut across the field from an outside barrier flattening Jonker and interfering with Sunlight. Ef Troop’s jockey Matt McGillivray was suspended for a month.

“Luke could see what was going to happen but full credit to him he got up there and held his spot although he could see what was going to happen. If he didn’t do that she wouldn’t have won,” McEvoy said.

McEvoy is planning on giving Sunlight a short break before aiming for the Golden Slipper Stakes on March 24.

“I’ve got 10 weeks to get her there. I’ll train her from Sydney but before that she’ll have a short break on a farm near there,” he said.

Sunlight firmed from $11 into $8 equal favourite with Performer after her win. She is also $6 favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes with TAB fixed odds.

McEvoy said it was likely Sunlight would have one run in Sydney before the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Two years ago, Capitalist completed the Magic Millions-Golden Slipper double. Last year the Magic Millions winner Houtzen finished fifth in the Golden Slipper Stakes.

McEvoy said his “expensive” move of taking Sunlight to the Gold Coast seven weeks ago paid dividends.

“I looked at last year with my two horses which I took up close to the race which didn’t work. It’s been a big advantage for Sunlight having two starts at the track and being able to back uo a week after her last win there,” he said.

He said Sunlight should be undefeated as at her first start when she finished third in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, Currie made a mistake when he restrained her and chose not to use her speed.

McEvoy said he shopped well during the week paying $600,000 for Sunlight’s sister during the week, a year after he paid $300,000 for her.

“I think the sister would now go for another $200,000 to $300,000,” he said.

McEvoy has been proactive at the yearling sales having bought 24 yearlings at the Magic Millions Yearling sales last week.