Everest contenders go head-to-head
SUPER sprinter Chautauqua is the headline act among a number of leading $10 million The Everest hopefuls set to race on Saturday.
Chautauqua is expected to resume in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick against a host of Everest hopefuls including English, Fell Swoop, Redzel and Takedown. Under the set weights and penalties conditions, Chautauqua is treated well with 58kg, 5kg over the limit.
Chautauqua, the winner of six Group 1 races and more than $8.3 million, is a confirmed Everest starter and has been the long-time favourite at $4.60 for the world’s richest race on turf. English and Fell Swoop are also in the Everest field on October 14.
Redzel can go a long way to securing an Everest slot by racing well in The Shorts, while Takedown can press his claims if can win the 1100m sprint for the second successive year.
The Coolmore-owned Formality is out to continue her perfect start to the season and add the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) to her recent wins in the Silver Shadow Stakes and Furious Stakes.
Formality is also moving into the Everest frame now that Coolmore has ruled out any chance of Irish sprinter Caravaggio, winner of a Group 2 race at The Curragh yesterday, from making the trip down under this spring.
David Hayes, who trains Formality, will test Redkirk Warrior’s Everest credentials in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington.
Redkirk Warrior, winner of the Newmarket Handicap this year, has 57kg for his comeback race.