Neasham sets big expectations for Sunshine In Paris at Sheraco Stakes

Top New South Wales trainer Annabel Neasham has set big expectations for Sunshine In Paris in this Saturday’s Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Racecourse. The five-year-old won this race last year, and looked set to race in 2023 Everest before suffering a ligament strain that derailed her 2023/24 campaign.
 
Neasham says Sunshine In Paris could be even better than she was last year before having to take time off with injury. The betting sites have Sunshine In Paris as second favourite to win the Sheraco Stakes.

‘As good as ever’

In preparation for her 2024/25 debut, Sunshine In Paris has run in two group trials at Warwick Farm and at Randwick.
 
It’s too early to say whether she is back at her best and able to win Group 1 races like she was before, but Annabel Neasham says she is impressed by what she has seen from Sunshine In Paris so far.
 
“The way she is moving and working and trialling, I think she is as good as ever, if not a bit better, just off what we have seen of her at home,” Neasham said.
 
However, the Warwick Farm-based trainer then said that she thinks Sunshine In Paris has a way to go before she can start competing for major races.
 
“She is probably going to need to be better to go on and hopefully win a race like The Everest.
 
“We’re just hoping to get her there. Last year she had a setback and it was disappointing,” Neasham explained.

Sheraco Stakes Preview and Everest target

The betting sites have Sunshine In Paris as second favourite to win with $4.20 odds. Joliestar is the favourite with $1.85 odds to win.
 
Many Saturday tips columns actually argue that the mare should be the favourite. For Neasham, she says there is no pressure on Sunshine In Paris to perform this Saturday.
 
“The pressure is off a bit now in that she has got a spot if she’s ready for it and showing she is up for it,” Neasham revealed.
 
“We’ll just very much work backwards from that. The weekend is the starting point, but she is there to win as well.”
 
There are only eight horses in the running for the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Bsides Joliestar and Sunshine In Paris, Makarena ($6) and Commemorative ($7.50) are other horses worth watching.

Lady Laguna update

Sunshine In Paris’s stablemate Lady Laguna was also set to run in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday before recording a high temperature pre-race.
 
“She had a very minor setback unfortunately, she spiked a little temperature,” said Annabel Neasham’s training partner Rob Archibald.
 
“It’s early in her preparation so we’ll be cautious, get her right and aim for some targets down the line and reassess. Hopefully it doesn’t set her back too far,” he added.