Ef Troop, Sunlight star in GCoast trials

Talented two-year-olds EF Troop and Sunlight are expected to shorten sharply in betting for the Magic Millions Classic after impressive trials.

EF Troop, a colt from the first crop of Spirit Of Boom, won his Gold Coast trial on Thursday by 20 lengths.

He will attempt to cement a start in next month’s $2 million Classic in the Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben on Saturday week.

“There were only three in the trial but the time was handy,” trainer Tony Gollan said.

EF Troop is now as short as $8.50 second favourite with some corporate bookmakers and is expected to shorten again.

The Tony McEvoy-trained Sunlight, who was third in the Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington at her only start, was other star of the Gold Coast trials.

Sunlight won a 900m trial running 53.93 seconds and beating the Gollan-trained Outback Barbie by a neck.

They were nine lengths in front of the third horse.

The time was more than two seconds faster than any other of the six 900-metre trials.

She is also expected to chase qualifying money for the Millions at Doomben on Saturday week.

Sunlight, a $300,000 filly by another first season sire, Zoustar, is at $34 with most bookmakers.