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| Staff Writer |
Sunshine In Paris is set to continue her racing career with the Gr.1 US$20 million The Everest at the centre of her spring campaign.
The outstanding mare, who recently secured her third Group One victory in the Doomben 10,000, remains relatively lightly raced and connections believe she has more to offer at the highest level.
"Sunshine In Paris is not heavily raced, I think she is up to start 17 so she has no 'miles' in her legs," said owner John Camilleri.
"So, we are leaning towards another crack at The Everest and maybe the Melbourne Champions Sprint, a race she won last year."
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The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained mare demonstrated tremendous courage when grinding out victory in the Doomben 10,000, wearing down Rothfire in a thrilling finish despite not appreciating the heavy ground.
Camilleri revealed winning rider James McDonald told him Sunshine In Paris "hated" the heavy 8 track conditions.
"But she still put in," the owner said. "I thought 100m out she's not going to get there but she did which is testimony to how gutsy she is."
Meanwhile, a deal to secure Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising for The Everest is understood to be imminent.
Speculation suggests the Hong Kong Jockey Club could purchase or lease an Everest slot for a minimum three years, with Ka Ying Rising being locked in as their representative.
Such an arrangement would be advantageous for HKJC as the club hosts the World Pool betting on The Everest, with Ka Ying Rising's participation certain to generate considerable interest from Hong Kong punters.
Racing NSW has recently called for expressions of interest to buy The Star's Everest slot, while Australian Turf Club and TAB are other slot-holders potentially open to selling or leasing.
Trained by expatriate David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising has been victorious in his last 12 starts, most recently claiming the Gr.1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin which elevated his official rating to 126.
This impressive figure places him alongside another Hong Kong champion, Romantic Warrior, on the official world rankings, with only Japan's Forever Young rated higher at 127.
Ka Ying Rising currently dominates early markets for The Everest, while Sunshine In Paris will represent Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds, which holds an Everest slot.
The only other confirmed starters for the Royal Randwick sprint on October 18 are Private Harry (slot-holder Yulong) and Briasa (Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, Col Madden).
Sunshine In Paris is nominated for the Gr.1 US$1 million Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm, but Camilleri indicated the mare would be sent for a spell this week with The Everest now firmly in her sights.