Redzel does the job for mum and dad owners
TRAINER Murray Baker has poured cold water on rumours that Bonneval’s Caulfield Cup campaign has been devastated by injury.
Following the mare’s belowpar run for sixth in Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes, Australian media reported Bonneval was lame and in doubt for next weekend’s $A3 million race.
But Baker, who trains the glamour mare in partnership IN a triumph for the little guy in racing, a horse owned by a group of everyday people has won the world’s richest thoroughbred race on turf at Randwick.
Redzel claimed the inaugural $A10.5 million Everest (1200m) on Saturday for Triple Crown Syndications, which paid $120,000 for him as a yearling.
Trained by the fatherandson partnership of Peter and Paul Snowden, and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Redzel ($8.50) shared the lead with Houtzen before stamping his authority inside the 300m.
Vega Magic was sent out the $4.80 favourite and chased Redzel hard after getting back early but came up threequarters of a length short.
Brave Smash ($19) held third a short neck away and Chautauqua ($6) finished fourth.
‘‘What a race to win,’’ McEvoy said. ‘‘It is so exciting. It’s such a thrill to be part of it.
‘‘[Redzel] is a little star. I’m so privileged to be riding these horses for Peter and Paul Snowden. They are master horsemen.’’
Redzel’s 17 owners include teachers, police officers, a taxi driver and a concreter.
The race was funded by a hefty subscription beyond the means of the winner’s owners but with James Harron Bloodstock select ing him as its representative, the dream came alive.
There were a couple of disappointing runs but no apparent hardluck stories.
Second favourite She Will Reign ($5.50) did not show the dash that won her the recent Moir Stakes and weakened to beat just Fell Swoop home.
‘‘I was obviously a little disappointed,’’ jockey Corey Brown said. ‘‘She had a beautiful run in transit and followed the winner. She just didn’t give me the turn of foot she usually shows.’’
Craig Williams said Vega Magic was brave in defeat and would have finished closer had he drawn a better barrier. — AAP