Eternal Flame proves too classy in Sunline Stakes triumph
After claiming her first Group victory in the Group 3 Matron Stakes last start, Eternal Flame (+750) has recorded back-to-back victories by taking out the Group 2 Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Although Ethan Brown didn’t ride the Mick Kent-trained mare at her last start, he re-connected with her on Saturday as they claimed a valuable and memorable win for the pair, as Brown continues his comeback from that nasty fall.
Wishlor Lass (+240) and Running By (+1000) set a solid tempo at the front of the field, but as they struck the 400m mark, the runs started to come from Foxy Cleopatra (+1300), Eternal Flame and Rumbled Again (+7000).
The unlucky runner in the race was Campionessa (+360), who never saw daylight in the final 400m, and was made to wait until the 200m mark before finding clear air to run home strongly into third place.
However, all honours went to the winner as she pulled away from Rumbled Again in the final 100m to win by just under a length on the line.
2024 Sunline Vase Replay – Eternal Flame
Mick Kent was very pleased to get the win with Eternal Flame, and he spoke post-race.
“He’s (Brown) been on this horse all along but through circumstances he’s missed the ride twice and Damian (Lane) has filled his shoes,” Kent said of Brown’s connection with the winner.
“It is good to see him back on her. He actually a lot of money with that Power Play when he won on her at Pakenham so she has been good to him.
“He understands her well and I thought it was a real heady ride because we were very keen to be in the first four.
“She has got so much better on race day.
“We’ve been a bit tough on her. I’ve liked her a bit fresh and we backed her up at Caulfield and won at Flemington.
“We thought it wouldn’t be the right track for her but she drew a nice barrier so there was no point going to the paddock when she was in such good form.”
Ethan Brown was very thankful to Kent and his team in his post-race interview.
“It feels great especially to repay Mick,” Brown said.
“He stuck by me and I’ve been unlucky on this horse a few times and people get frustrated but it was good to repay them again today.
“She had the race fitness on her side, the mile wasn’t a problem, and I had to balance her up around the corner and away she went.
“She’s been bouncing really well in her races. We thought she’d do that again today and hold her spot in a first four position one-out one-back but she bounced ok but lacked that early speed.
“She switched off lovely through the run but I was able to dictate and use her fitness when I wanted to.
“First look at The Valley, it was important that I had her balanced around the corner.”