RACING English eyes Everest
GAI Waterhouse’s great mare English has secured a start in the $ 10 million The Everest.
Tabcorp has decided to make an early call on their Everest slot and last night selected English as its runner.
English becomes the fifth confirmed starter in The Everest after Chautauqua, She Will Reign, Swoop.
Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, said English was being prepared specifically for the The Everest ( 1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 14.
“She is a big, strong mare and her record at Randwick is outstanding,’’ Waterhouse said.
English, a Group 1 winner of Houtzen and Fell the All Aged Stakes ( 1400m) at Randwick, also has an excellent record over sprints with dual wins in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and placings in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes behind Chautauqua over the Everest course and distance.
Craig Nugent, Tabcorp’s chief operation officer of wagering and media, said the decision to go with English even though there is more than three months to The Everest is part of the intrigue of the race.
“We are in uncharted waters here,’’ Nugent said.
“This is the intrigue of the race because there is no exact way to go about it.’’
Nugent felt English, who is raced by the Kelly family of Newhaven Park Stud, is the “perfect fit” for the TAB.