The Everest's Last Three Positions Still To Be Filled!

Written on the 22 September 2017

With only three weeks to go until the maiden $10 Million The Everest at Randwick, three possible contenders have emerged for the three positions remaining before The Everest field is finalised.

It's understood that slot-holders have made approaches to connections of Deploy and Clearly Innocent, while In Her Time is being considered for a start due to her impressive barrier trial win, earlier in the week.

Gerald Ryan-trained Menari at this stage needs to win the Golden Rose to be considered for a start in the much anticipated race. Owner/breeder George Altomonte is understandly focussing his attention on this race to earn a spot in The Everest.

In light of the Gerald Ryan-trained Deploy smashing track records at the Randwick 1200m in August and Rosehill 1300m earlier this month, it comes as no surprise that the Fastnet Rock five-year-old is being considered for a start in the big race. The TAB has received plenty of interest in the gelding, including one bet of $4,000 at $21 to win. He now sits at $11.

Clearly Inncoent who's had an outstanding career over two seasons and proven ability at Group 1 level with the Kingsford Smith Cup and a third placing at the Stradbroke Handicap, had an impressive track galllop at Newcastle earlier this week after a nice break from racing. The Premiere Stakes on September 30 will decide if he gets a chance at the big race.

In Her Time, who was second place in the Stradbroke Handicap ahead of Clearly Innocent, had not been considered for The Everest until she dashed away at a Rosehill barrier trial earlier this week in fast time.

Confirmed to race in The Everest to date is Chautauqua, Redzel, English, Fell Swoop, She Will Reign, Brave Smash and Houtzen. Out of these seven, only Brave Smash is racing on Saturday. The Darren-Weir-trained sprinter is $1.75 favourite to win the Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield, then a possible run in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick, September 30.

David Hayes knows Redkirk Warrior and Vega Magic will be in The Everest field, but he doesn't know which slot holders have locked in the two sprinters.

"I am training Redkirk Warrior and Vega Magic as if they are running in The Everest," Hayes said. "The deals for both horses are close to being done. I'm sure we will get confirmation any day now. All I can do is to prepare both horses as if they are in the race."

In the latest TAB Fixed Odds betting, Chautauqua remains the $5 favourite, Vega Magic and Redzel are at $6 while Redkirk Warrior is at $8.

On another note, Racing NSW will be unveiling the $300,000 diamond encrusted Everest trophy, designed by leading Sydney jeweller, Cerrone, today.

The trophy is said to feature 570 carats of diamonds with an overall weight of 14kg in diamonds, gold and silver. It has been secretly crafted over several months which included 920 hours setting more than 8,000 individual diamonds.

(Photo: Deploy, Photo Source: Racing and Sports)