Everest remains hope for champ

CHAMPION sprinter Chautauqua is still in The Everest mix – provided he jumps cleanly from the barriers in the most crucial trial in memory at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Chautauqua has refused to begin in six jump-outs or barrier trials this year and is on his last chance with Racing NSW stewards.

Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes has a philosophical take on Chautauqua’s muchanticipated trial.

“If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t then life will still go on,’’ Hawkes said,

“The horse is fit and well, he’s fine which is the main thing. If he doesn’t jump it is not the end of the world.’’

But if the “Grey Flash” does pass his barrier trial test tomorrow, he will move closer to a start in the $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 13 – or will he?

Chautauqua’s part-owner Greg Ingham of GPI Racing has an Everest slot but pulled a surprise on Wednesday night when it was announced that he had locked in Invincible Star for the world’s richest turf race.

Andrew Williams, bloodstock agent and slot manager for GPI Racing, explained that Invincible Star has been on their short list of potential Everest runners for some weeks.

“She has speed, she has the X-factor and is an unknown quantity – she could be a real star this spring,’’ Williams said.

“Chautauqua has always been an option, albeit a high risk one. Hopefully in his trial (tomorrow) he shows everybody else what we have seen from him at home.”

Gai Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, said she was “thrilled” when told Invincible Star will join stablemate English in the elite Everest field.

“She is the lightest raced horse in the field but she is such a fast mare, she is very exciting,’’ Waterhouse said.

“We were hoping she would get a slot for quite some time and I guess after her latest trial people realised she was back bigger and stronger than ever – and they saw her incredible cruising speed.’’

But Williams was quick to add that Ingham was still hopeful Chautauqua and also Showtime, another sprinter he part-owns, could make The Everest field.

There are only two slots remaining to complete The Everest’s elite 12-horse field which are held by leading owners Max Whitby and Neil Werrett in a joint arrangement, and the Australian Turf Club.

HOPEFULLY IN HIS TRIAL (TOMORROW) HE SHOWS EVERYBODY ELSE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM HIM AT HOME.

ANDREW WILLIAMS