Sunshine In Paris claims Group 1 Doomben 10,000
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Sunshine In Paris delivered a moment of post-marriage magic for Annabel and Rob Archibald, storming home to claim the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday and give the pair their first elite-level success as a couple.
Ridden by James McDonald, the classy mare was posted wide throughout but always loomed ominously in the run, eventually collaring a defiant Rothfire ($41) right on the line. The win marked her third Group 1 triumph and put her firmly in the frame for a potential slot in the 2025 Everest.
It takes a lot to surprise James McDonald, but even the champion hoop admitted he got a “hell of a fright” as the Queensland warhorse refused to go down quietly.
“That Rothfire, he is as tough as they come. I was worried at the furlong that I wasn’t going to get to him. He had a tougher run than we did, but he kept surging. Credit to him, he gave me a hell of a fright,” McDonald said.
For McDonald, it was a significant milestone: his 117th career Group 1 and his first Doomben 10,000. It also equalled his career-best haul of 19 Group 1 wins in a single season.
Sunshine In Paris was backed into $3.30 favouritism with horse racing bookmakers after opening at $4.20, and despite the testing conditions, she always looked a major factor in the first Group 1 of Queensland’s winter carnival.
“I’m just so pleased for the mare,” said Rob Archibald. “She’s been great all prep, she just hasn’t had a good draw, so I’m really pleased it worked out well. James came and galloped her a couple of weeks ago and said she’s spot on, which gave us all the confidence we needed. Thanks to her owners for being brave enough and supportive enough to run her on a track which probably isn’t to her liking.”
2025 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 Replay – Sunshine In Paris
Queensland’s evergreen star Rothfire fought bravely to the line but had to settle for second, a position trainer Rob Heathcote was proud of despite the near miss.
“We’ve been knocked off by arguably one of the best mares in the country and he’s done Queensland proud,” Heathcote said.
“He’s been a warrior for me his entire life. I shudder to think what he would have been had he not suffered that injury earlier in his career. The old bugger, he runs on three legs but he’s not lame, he’s not sore.”
The day was also memorable for trainer Chris Munce, who saddled up third-placed roughie Payline ($51) and trained two earlier winners on the card.
Meanwhile, Overpass was a notable disappointment, finishing ninth. Jockey Josh Parr cited the heavy surface for the flat performance.
“It’s unfortunate that we got such a putrid track here today,” Parr said. “He tried his hardest but he couldn’t go on the ground.”
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