Hoop on flyer for ride
the barriers are related to behavioural issues and not a veterinary condition.
The 1000m trial will be held between races three and four, and nominations will close at 1pm today with the field restricted to eight.
Meanwhile, Caulfield Cup-winning mare Jameka has been retired and will head to the breeding barn.
Connections of the multiple Group 1 winner made the decision after the mare finished unplaced in a barrier trial at Cranbourne yesterday.
Jameka had not raced since March last year, when she won the Group 1 BMW in Sydney by 6½ lengths, after which she suffered lifethreatening travel sickness.
She had been back in work at Caulfield building towards a possible race return this spring, but trainer Ciaron Maher had said Jameka would only make a race comeback if she showed she was capable of competing at the top level again. IT is not often a jockey will travel 1000km for a barrier trial but when it is a hoop’s Everest ride they will move heaven and earth to be acquainted with their prized ride.
Tim Clark flew to Melbourne to ride Shoals in an 800m barrier trial at Cranbourne yesterday and she sizzled over the course to win in 48.50sec with fellow Everest hope Santa Ana Lane in third.
The Anthony Freedmantrained mare, who has won three Group 1s, pleased Cark with her work and he said she was in for a big spring.
“She trialled well which isn’t always the case with her,” Clark said.
“She can be a bit lethargic but it was a good, solid trial on a track with a fair bit of give, which she doesn’t mind.
“I thought she closed off well. It was only a short trial but she ran through the line nicely.”
It was only the second time he had ridden Shoals after they combined to win the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in May.
Before that victory she won Group 1s in the Myer Classic (1600m) and Surround Stakes (1400m).
“It was good to get back on her to get to know her a little bit more so that was part of the exercise, too,” Clark said.
“She’s a really strong filly with a lot of power and she’s got a big engine.
“Anthony was pretty happy. He thought her trial was good a couple of weeks ago and he’s happy with how she’s progressing ahead of her campaign.”
Shoals may kick off her campaign in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) on September 8 before running the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) before having one lead-up run in Sydney before The Everest on October 13.
She is a $15 chance with the TAB to win The Everest.
“I’ll ride her wherever she starts,” Clark said.
“She’s had two runs at Randwick for two wins and it’s the type of track she really likes. She’s won over 1600m, so she’ll be strong at the end of The Everest.”