Redzel scales the peak again
Champ defends his Everest title by leading all the way
Redzel defended his inaugural Everest crown, winning yesterday’s $14.1 million international feature at Royal Randwick in Sydney and leading from start to finish as he did last year.
Ridden again by Kerrin McEvoy, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained horse took full advantage of his inside draw to quickly set the tempo of the race, kicking clear over the rise to establish a commanding lead.
Redzel pocketed A$6m for the win, taking his carer earnings to close on A$15m.
“It was a masterful ride and Kerrin judged it perfectly,” Snowden said. “He did it tough today. He lead from the front and I am just so proud of the horse.”
Redzel was never seriously challenged at any stage of the race, safely holding off a brave Trapeze Artist who had beaten him in the T J Smith by two lengths when they met in the autumn over the Everest journey of 1200m.
Godolphin outsider and Everest emergency Osborne Bulls ran the race of his life finishing almost on the outside rail to just grab third placing. Le Romain was a close fourth. Favourite Shoals was unplaced as was high class British raider US Navy Flag who never seemed comfortable on the heavy track.
● Pierata made a mess of a top quality field of sprinters in the Everest consolation, the group three $500,000 Sydney Stakes (1200m).
Trainer Greg Hickman had wanted to get Pierata into The Everest all spring without success and was still hopeful of a late call-up last week when it was learned Home Of The Brave was coming out of the race.
Slot-holder the Australian Turf Club substituted Godolphin stablemate Osborne Bulls for Home Of the The Brave and Hickman’s Everest hopes were dashed.
But the trainer and his syndicate of owners are already thinking about The Everest next year after Pierata’s emphatic Sydney Stakes win.
Hickman said as much as he wanted to get Pierata into The Everest, it was not a simple process.
“It’s all about the contracts and what you are dealing with,’’ Hickman said.
“There was nothing the owners were satisfied with so we had to move with his programme.
“We thought we might get over a bit more ground but maybe he doesn’t get a strong mile at that level.” ● Boom colt The Autumn Sun thrashed his rivals in the Caulfield Guineas to show he is the next superstar of the turf.
The champ was ridden superbly by Kiwi jockey James McDonald at Caulfield and won going away from Vassilator and Oohood.
Ex-pat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller said: “Maybe I am wrong, but I have had a bit of experience with some nice colts he is as good as it gets.
“We never expected him to lead this race, but they are in their zone, and they are covering extra ground and it is unfamiliar, but it just shows how good he is. That is what we wanted to show everybody today.”
McDonald was full of praise for the horse after the race.
“I didn't want to take up the lead, so I let him just sit there, and he breathed beautifully and was explosive on the turf.”
Asked if he could take on Winx in Cox Plate: “She is too good but he is, in his own right, look at him. He's just a champion. A very good horse.”