Hot pre- Everest rivalry
FOR all of the discussion The Everest has generated over the past few months, no day of racing will have a bigger bearing on the outlook for the $ 13 million race than what unfolds at Caulfield and Randwick today.
Five runners already assured places in the field – Redzel, Invincible Star, Vega Magic, Santa Ana Lane and Brave Smash – do battle, while several other highly touted aspirants will try to put forward a case as to why they shouldn’t be in the field.
Ladbrokes is holding more pre- post money on The Everest than it is on the Melbourne Cup at this stage and today’s racing will only fuel the interest further.
The worst result in the Ladbrokes book for the race is Nature Strip, who ironically is not yet in the field and may face a task to make it. Second worst for the book is Invincible Star, who will shorten further from her quote of $ 12 if she lowers the colours of Redzel in the Concorde Stakes today.
“We’re holding more money on Invincible Star than any other horse and the second best backed is Redzel, so it’s a race of enormous interest,” Ladbrokes’ Will Norman said of the Concorde.
“I wouldn’t think Redzel will shorten up too much from his current quote, even if he wins well.
“Invincible Star could tighten up a bit, depending on how impressive she is.”
The Tramway lost some interest from an Everest point of view with the scratching of Pierata yesterday, but Le Romain gets another chance to as to why the two remaining slot- holders – the ATC and Max Whitby and Neil Werrett – should consider him.
Norman predicted Vega Magic will leap to the top of Everest betting if he wins the Memsie Stakes.
“He will be favourite for sure if he’s as impressive ( today) as he was last year,” Norman said.
“We had a lot of interest in Kementari after his trial, but it’s dropped off since he was beaten first up and after he was unplaced behind Winx.
“Punters probably want to see him get into the field before backing him, which is the same scenario for Happy Clapper.”
Norman said Brave Smash, who resumes in The Heath today, had been shunned by punters, despite the fact he was secure in the field.
Today’s rival Santa Ana Lane had been more popular and is a loser for the book after being backed at odds of up to $ 34.
Japanese import Kemono has attracted some Everest commentary this week, but Norman said that had not transpired to any notable bets in the Ladbrokes book.