Australia’s foremost owner-breeder, John Camilleri, describes himself as conservative by nature in racing, so he is unsettled by the confidence exuded by his trainer and jockey about Sunshine In Paris leading into the $20million Everest at Randwick on Saturday.
Camilleri, who bred mighty mare Winx from what he calls almost the perfect broodmare Vegas Showgirl, has put together one of the best broodmare bands in the country and invests heavily in racing. That is where Sunshine In Paris will eventually head after Camilleri took the ultimate risk-reward play in paying $3.9 million for her after her three-year-old season, which included victory in the Surround Stakes.
Tommy Berry gives a roar as Sunshine In Paris takes out the Sheraco Stakes on her way to The Everest. Credit: Getty Images
“What looks a risk to someone else, I might look on differently,” Camilleri explained. “She had only had six starts and won a group 1, so there was a lot of value in her already. She still has upside on the track. People can pay two or three million for a yearling – there’s more risk in that. The plan was to race her, but the long-term plan will see us breed the next generations as well.”
Camilleri saw off world breeding giants Coolmore to obtain Sunshine In Paris at the Magic Millions in 2023, and then bought his Everest slot from Aquis, which would be valued at more than $1million with an ongoing $700,000 payment each year.
“I bought the slot with her in mind but it was not because of her,” Camilleri said. “The Everest slot and Sunshine In Paris are quite separate because, as we saw last year, she might not run in it if something goes wrong.”
Sunshine In Paris was ready to challenge the best sprinters in theland in the world’s richest race on turf 12 months ago after her firstappearance in Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds silks resulted in a stunning Sheraco Stakes victory, but an injury curtailed her preparation.
Sunshine In Paris showed when she returned in the autumn that she would still be a group 1 force. Arunner-up finish in The Galaxy was followed by a close-up fifth in the TJ Smith before she finished her campaign with fourth in the AllAged Stakes.
She returned with another victory in the Sheraco Stakes this spring and trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald decided that going into The Everest fresh from a five-week break would suit the Invader mare.
“She is very good, but I’m getting nervous with a couple of days to go until the race because of what happened last year,” Camilleri said. “I’m conservative when it comes to racing on the track, but the way Annabel and Tommy Berry are speaking about her is with unbelievable confidence. I’m trying not to get as excited as them.”
Berry took the Sunshine In Paris ride at the beginning of spring knowing the target was The Everest, and his confidence continues to grow with every gallop. Even the barrier draw of eight was a positive for Berry, who will have options.
“I loved her versatility and consistency when I took the ride,” Berry said. “She has never run a poor race, and she just gives her all even when the wet conditions were against her in the TJ Smith and AllAged Stakes in the autumn.
“Having the slot has meant that The Everest has been one day they have prepared her for, and we get there on Saturday. She won the Sheraco Stakes looking very hairy, but her coat has dropped and she looks amazing now. The improvement from then has amazed me.
“Every time I get on her I get more confident. Her work just gets better every week and the best piece was on Tuesday, so I can’t wait for Saturday.”
Those watching from the stands at Warwick Farm on Tuesday were as impressed as Neasham and Archibald.
“It has been the smoothest preparation we have had with her and she has ticked the boxes on the way,” Archibald said.
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