Redzel to take the Concorde to Everest

SPRINTER Redzel will prepare for his defence of The Everest title when he makes his spring carnival return in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Redzel is among five definite starters in the $13 million The Everest who will sport silks this weekend including Concorde Stakes rival Invincible Star.

“It’s exciting times knowing the race is only about seven weeks away,’’ owner Michael Ward of Triple Crown Syndications said of Redzel.

At Caulfield, the Everest campaigns of Vega Magic and Santa Ana Lane will crank up a gear while Brave Smash, who has also secured an Everest slot, will resume in the Group 3 The Heath Stakes (1100m) at the Melbourne track.

There are another five fringe Everest hopefuls also due to start on Saturday in a make-or-break bid to secure a one of the final two slots in the 12-horse field for the The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13 .

Pierata and Le Romain are entered for the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) with both sprinters still in mix.

Kementari is among Tramway nominations but trainer James Cummings has hinted he is more likely to run the galloper in the $1 million Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne.

Happy Clapper and Showtime are entered for the Memsie with both also on The Everest radar.

Owners Max Whitby and Neil Werrett share an Everest slot and they are chasing a sprinter after the injury to Menari forced his retirement.

The Australian Turf Club also has a vacant slot.

Invincible Star became the 10th sprinter to be selected for The Everest when slot-holder Greg Ingham’s GPI Racing picked up the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare.