The spring’s Champions Sprint winning mare Sunshine In Paris returned to Group 1 winning form in style on Saturday claiming a narrow but gutsy victory in the 2025 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane.

Hailing from the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald yard, the five-year-old daughter of Invader proved too classy fourth-up and fit overcoming the unsuitably Heavy Doomben track to take out this year’s Group 1 $1.5 million Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and secure the opening elite-level of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

She franked the form out of Sydney’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) when improving on her lead-up third to Jimmysstar at Randwick, relishing a drop back to the six-furlongs for her first victory since the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) down the Flemington ‘Straight Six’ last Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Having been ridden by Chad Schofield for her three earlier autumn assignments, Sunshine In Paris reunited with her Champions Sprint winning jockey James McDonald and the master hoop got the job done on the well-backed mare who jumped favourite by start time.

“Just so pleased for Sunshine In Paris, she’s been great all prep. She just hasn’t had a great draw and I’m just so happy that it worked out today,” co-trainer Rob Archibald told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“It’s just a great result.”

In a thrilling finish, Sunshine In Paris ($3.30F) dug deep late to overhaul the underrated local sprinter Rothfire ($41) and snatch the first Group 1 of Stradbroke Season.

“Rothfire was very brave and he’s a great horse in his own right,” Archibald added.

“It was a real fight the last 50 (metres) and I’m just pleased we got a head in front.”

In third adding further value to the Doomben 10,000 trifecta only a half-length off the winner was the first emergency Payline ($51) for Chris & Corey Munce who earlier took out the day’s key act with two-year-old Cool Archie saluting in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic.

J-Mac chimed in on the home straight giving Sunshine In Paris the go-ahead to begin her run in earnest and the mare responded beautifully making up ground to dig deep and go past the Robert Heathcote trained Rothfire right on the line.

The Doomben track was a Heavy (8) by the time the meeting’s feature ran, and Sunshine In Paris handled the conditions so well despite concerns from the stable.

“We were very worried all day about the track,” Archibald told the Channel 7 post-win.

“I think class just prevailed in the end. I’m sure she didn’t look like she was loving it (the track) but great ride and a very tough mare.

“It’s just such a thrill and such a reward and very grateful to have a mare like her in our stable.”

Now a multiple Group 1 winner and still with plenty to give as a rising six-year-old, there is every chance Sunshine In Paris may race on in Queensland to target the majors including the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1350m) on May 31 and potentially even the state’s richest race the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14.

She is into $5 to win the 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup through Ladbrokes.com.au and complete the double for the first time since The Bostonian (2019).

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