HEATING UP FOR A SHOT AT EVEREST GOLD MINE
REDZEL has locked in a slot to defend his Everest title while the connections of Shoals have decided to shun Royal Ascot in favour of the world’s richest turf race at Royal Randwick.
The Everest, worth a staggering $13 million, is not run until October 13 but the scramble for starting positions is already happening, with Redzel snapped up by Chinese billionaire Yuesheng Zhang’s Yulong Investments. Redzel is the third sprinter to be confirmed for the Everest after Trapeze Artist (Aquis Stud) and In Her Time (TAB).
Michael Ward of Triple Crown Syndications, owners of Redzel, confirmed the deal.
“We have been speaking with various slot-holders for a few weeks, but to reach this agreement with Yulong gives everyone some surety and means we can start planning for The Everest again,’’ Ward said.
“It is a long lead-in to the race but we can enjoy the ride over the next few months.’’
Peter Snowden, who trains Redzel with his son Paul, welcomed the news.
“Paul and I can sit down now and work out a program to suit Redzel going into The Everest. He will run in the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday and then we will give him a spell before looking to follow a similar program to what worked so well last spring.’’
Redzel and In Her Time will have an Everest preview in the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.