Redzel primed to fire in 10,000

Snowdens fancy champion sprinter

HORSE RACING: Peter Snowden will move into outright second place on the list for alltime winning Doomben 10,000 trainers if favourite Redzel can win his third Group 1 race today.

Snowden has already won the race three times, twice as Darley’s head trainer with Beaded (2011) and Epaulette (2013) and then in partnership with son Paul last year with Redzel.

Bart Cummings and Harry Plant have also trained three Doomben 10,000 winners.

Tommy Smith is the record holder with six wins.

Redzel can become the ninth favourite to win since the race went metric in 1997 and the first favourite since Sea Siren in 2012.

Now regarded as Australia’s best sprinter, Redzel can also become the fifth horse to win back-toback 10,000s.

The Snowdens, however, are not particularly worried about records, but feel Redzel is ready to add another Group 1 win before his bid to defend his title in the $13 million Everest in October.

Redzel has drawn barrier six, which looks ideal.

“The barriers didn’t really worry us as he is a pace horse and should be able to get into a good position pretty much wherever he draws,” Paul Snowden said.

“He is a seasoned traveller these days and he is better than when he won the race last year.

“Redzel has been racing against the best in his lead-up races.”

Kerrin McEvoy takes over the mount today, after Jim Byrne’s victory on Redzel in last year’s 10,000.

McEvoy has won the Darley Classic and The Everest on Redzel.

■ SUPER mare Winx has finally reached the top of the world rankings.

Winx’s runaway win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick during The Championships last month took her global international rating to 130.

This rating places her at the top of the rankings, one point clear of Pegasus World Cup winner Gun Runner.

English champion Cracksman is third on 125, with Kentucky Derby winner Justify on 124. Winx had been rated the world’s best racehorse on turf the past two years but was pipped for the world’s best racehorse title by the now-retired American dirt track champion Arrogate.

But with Gun Runner retired to stud, Winx is in the box seat to finally secure the world champion ranking for 2018.

After scoring her 25th consecutive win and her 18th at Group 1 level in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, taking her career earnings to $18.9 million, Winx was sent for a spell.