Catch us if you can
JOCKEY Luke Currie believes Sunlight can account for co-favourites Ef Troop and Jonker to win the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Saturday.
Sunlight is a $4.40 chance for the Classic, where the Tony McEvoy-trained filly will be tested by unbeaten Brisbane gelding Ef Troop ($3.80) and Newcastle flyer Jonker ($5), who has won two from two.
Currie is aware of what Sunlight’s biggest rivals can do but said his mount could mirror what 2016 champion Houtzen did by winning the Classic a week after running at the Gold Coast.
“(Saturday’s) run will bring her up fitness-wise and I suppose they need to keep improving these two-year-olds – they need to keep taking the next step,” Currie said.
“I have watched the replays of the other two favourites and I think she is up to those.
“Two-year-olds can throw up a wildcard every now and then but that’s racing.”
The four-time Group 1-winning hoop has rarely ridden at the Gold Coast, spending the bulk of his career in Victoria and Tasmania, or in Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia.
Currie, who has partnered the Melbourne-trained Sunlight to two wins at the Gold Coast, said victory next Saturday would be sweet.
“It would mean a win,” Currie said.
“I haven’t ridden much in either Queensland or NSW. I have ridden overseas but in lot to Australia I have only really ridden in Tassie and Victoria so it would be really nice to win a big one up here, especially for Tony.”
Sunlight has now run twice and had a trial at the Gold Coast since arriving in December and McEvoy said it was important the filly felt like a local.
Currie said the rides at the track were just as important to him as he prepared to chase a win in the biggest event of the $10 million race day.
“Usually when I go to a new track I like to have a ride or two before the main event,” Currie said.
“It’s been nice to come up here. I have got a good feel for it in the last couple of weeks. It is fairly important for both jockey and horse.”