Sunlight goes for Gr.1 win number 3

Sunlight, the superstar filly part-owned by Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, has been declared for the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley on Friday.

Sunlight will face nine rivals in the Keogh Homes William Reid, a race for three-year-olds and over which has been won by the likes of Black Caviar (2011 and 2013), Miss Andretti (2007) and Foxwedge (2012).

The Tony McEvoy-trained Sunlight won a stellar renewal of the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 9 and, as the highest-rated hose in the William Reid, looks set to start favourite.

While Gr.1 Canterbury League Club Stakes runner-up Shoals won't be easily brushed aside, arguably the biggest barrier to success for Sunlight is indeed her barrier - she's been drawn in stall 11 of 11 but hopefully her electric early speed will be enough to overcome her wide starting position.

After a light weight meant South African-born Barend Vorster rode Sunlight in the Newmarket, her regular rider Luke Currie is back on board for the William Reid.

The other last-time-out winner in the line-up is fellow three-year-old filly Embrace Me, who won the Gr.3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes over course and distance.

Sunlight is a daughter of Zoustar, who is also part-owned by Qatar Racing and is currently standing as a stallion at Tweenhills in Gloucestershire, before he returns to his native Australia.