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By Ray Hickson

It's almost three years to the day since jockey Ryan Maloney’s maiden Group 1 win and he’s quietly confident of a second if emerging filly Sunshine In Paris can complete her coming of age at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Ryan Maloney (Pic: Grant Guy)

The Annabel Neasham-trained three-year-old proved herself worthy of a tilt at the Group 1 $600,000 Drinkwise Surround Stakes (1400m), and added 20 points to her handicap rating, by stretching the favourite In Secret in the major lead up, the Light Fingers Stakes, two weeks ago.

Soon after dismounting Maloney was keen for a rematch and believes the pair can turn the tables on the Godolphin filly.

“I couldn’t see why not. She’s come a long way in a very short time but she proved herself that day,’’ Maloney said.

“She’s very bombproof and that good gate certainly gives us some good options.”

Alligator Blood handed Maloney his Group 1 breakthrough in the 2020 Australian Guineas, run on February 29 that year.

He said Sunshine In Paris, $8 with TAB on Thursday, floated a bit as she closed in on the leaders in the Light Fingers but when she saw In Secret dart through she lifted and tried to chase her down.

“She didn‘t really hit her straps until Nash (on In Secret) came on the inside and she lifted really late,’’ he said.

“Had Nash have to come to my outside I dare say it was a different story. She’s a filly who does as much as she has to so if she can get beside whatever challenges her it will be a big plus.

“The 1400m is going to suit her a lot better and if we get a bit of give in the track it would enhance her chances.”

About 40 minutes prior to the Group 1, Maloney partners unbeaten filly Skirt The Law in her Golden Slipper rehearsal in the Group 2 $250,000 Catanach's Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

He says Tony Gollan's youngster has done nothing but please since her easy Magic Millions win at the Gold Coast last month.

"Both look really good chances and I couldn’t be happier with the way Skirt The Law is going,'' he said.

"I think she’s improved since the Magic Millions. It's just the way she’s gone about her trackwork and everything she seems to have gone up a level."

Skirt The Law accounted for subsequent Silver Slipper runner-up Platinum Jubilee in the Magic Millions and if she can topple Inglis Nursery runner-up Blanc De Blanc it will give Maloney a line on how she lines up alongside Slipper favourite Learning To Fly.

He's not concerned about drawing towards the outside and says Skirt The Law showed on the Gold Coast she doesn't need to lead to win.

"She’s just the ultimate professional. She was quite dominant in the Magic Millions,'' he said.

Sunshine In Paris runs second at Randwick on February 11

"It adds another string to her bow being able to place her wherever you want, she’s very push button.

"There doesn’t look to be a great deal of pressure in it, hopefully we’ll be able to get across and with it being at Randwick it gives us more options with that nice run in.

"It will give us a good guide (on the Slipper) but the way she’s come through the Magic Millions I couldn’t be happier."

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting