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By Brad Gray
At Rosehill Gardens

McEvoy Wowed By Winx
Winx took to Rosehill Gardens for an exhibition gallop, and gave Kerrin McEvoy, who was warming the seat for Hugh Bowman, a glowing appraisal.

The star mare, who was recently rated equal first in Longine’s World’s Best RaceHorse rankings with US galloper Gun Runner, stopped the clock at 1:02.32 and did it oh so easily.

“She was in beast mode,” McEvoy said. “I’ve been on her a few times and that’s the best she has felt, in the two previous times I have sat on her. She’s one hell of a horse to ride that’s for sure."

“You wish all the best for your colleagues. Last night I sat there and thought ‘gee what if I did get the ride’ and I started getting nervous. It makes you realise what Hughie does and how he handles it, he does a remarkable job.”

Imagine sitting in a Ferrari and only being allowed to stay in first gear. Did McEvoy's fingers ever get itchy?

“She is going quick enough already without me having to do anything,” McEvoy said, smiling.

Chris Waller, spoke to Bowman this morning and reported he was feeling great, will weigh Winx on Monday before deciding what work she’ll so for the rest of the week.

“She is pretty straight forward to train. In this race (George Ryder) she ran a really high rating last year and I think she is ready to do something similar next Saturday,” Waller said.

And there she goes! @winx_horse makes it look all so easy. 1000m in 1:02.32 @KPMcEvoy #gowinx pic.twitter.com/rh9zE7IZ6X

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 17, 2018

Cristobal Chases Sunlight
Sunlight did the right thing by punters and led all the way in the Magic Night Stakes but Cristobal enhanced her reputation chasing her home to run second.

The Godolphin filly won’t have the prizemoney to make the Golden Slipper field but James Cummings said she would stay in work, all being equal.

“Providing she pulls up well we’ll definitely look at something else,” he quipped after the race.

That something else could be the Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) on Day 2 of The Championships. She is also nominated for the G1 Sires Produce over 1400m.

Tye Angland said after the race, that he “would have liked to have been a pair closer but she just would have been out of her comfort zone. To her credit she hit the line very well.”

It also adds an extra layer of form to Miss Fabulass who was enormous on debut behind Cristobal. Unfortunately she is in the paddock but watch for her next time in.

Tony McEvoy inspecting Sunlight after her Canadian Club Magic Night win, he says its job done for next week’s Slipper. $3.50 fav with TAB pic.twitter.com/f1s8KpSIgu

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 17, 2018

Rosehill Drought Breakers
Multifacets and Peacock bookended Rosehill Gardens meeting, breaking 482 and 517 day droughts.

The best was in the middle though with Dothraki winning the Maruice McCarten. The seven-year-old, who had to give the field 5kg, hadn’t won for 881 days! He had to do it in the stewards' room but it was one of the more cut and dry protests you’ll see.

The last race Dothraki had won prior to that was in October 2015 beating That’s A Good Idea and Artlee in the Tatts Club Lightning.

“It was a real testament to the horse, he had to chase a very hot speed with the big weight, he was chasing from about the 600m which isn’t really his go,” said Peter Snowden. “That little bit of class just rose to the top there.”

Take nothing away from Sprightly Lass who was relegated to second. She trucked along in front with Punters' Intel revealing very quick splits from the 1000-600m before wobbling late to run 12.15s for her last 200m. It’s worth noting that she didn’t handle the heat very well in the yard either.

Brenton Avdulla said of Sprightly Lass, “I tried to get her to come back to me a little bit but she still raced a bit fresh. She’s still learning her craft but she is a very quick mare. Ability wise she can go better but distance wise she probably can’t go much further, she has to learn how to settle.”

The theme of the day wasn't enough to get Tom Melbourne home though...

D’argento To Run In Rosehill Guineas
Chris Waller confirmed that the plan is for D’argento to take his place in next week’s G1 Rosehill Guineas but was a little cautious over the grey colt getting a strong 2000m.

“I’m not convinced he’ll get the trip but we’ve got to try it,” Waller said.

“He is mainly from a speed family but I’m hoping being by So You Think will help him see it out. We could see the form of the three-year-olds flip once we get out to 2000m.”

D’argento was an eye-catching run in the Randwick Guineas covering the most ground in the race with Punters’ Intel also revealing his late splits were second to only Kementari.

 Check out the replays and results for Rosehill Gardens