Ryan has higher mountains to climb in spring
AS he prepares runners for the final metropolitan meeting of the season, trainer Gerald Ryan is also looking ahead to the biggest race of the Sydney spring.
Ryan will have two runners – Trapeze Artist and Menari – in the $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13,
The Bert Vieira-owned Trapeze Artist, the winner of three Group 1 races in 2017-18, was the first horse snapped up for The Everest and will run for Aquis Farm.
Menari, owned by his breeder George Altomonte, was confirmed last week as the representative for the partnership of Max Whitby, Neil Werrett and Steve McCann.
“It’s exciting to have two horses in the race,” Ryan said.
“They are both doing really well. Menari will trial on the 10th of August and again on the 24th before he races eight days later in the Concorde Stakes over 1000 metres.
“Trapeze Artist will have his first trial on the seventh and then trial again on the 24th as well before starting off in the Theo Marks on the eighth of September.”
Menari hasn’t raced since his third behind Trapeze Artist in the Golden Rose in September after which he was found to need a throat operation.
“He is showing no signs in his work there is any problem,” Ryan said.
In the more immediate future, Star Of Monsoon and Albumin stand out among Ryan’s entries for Rosehill on Saturday with both nominated for the Benchmark 90 Handicap (1200m).
Flashy grey Albumin has won his past three starts including his most recent in a similar race to the one this weekend.
Since being gelded at the beginning of the season, the previously winless Star Of Monsoon has racked up three victories and three placings from six starts.
“Albumin will go round but Star Of Monsoon is 50-50,” Ryan said.
“I’m still not sure where to run him. If he doesn’t run Saturday it will be five weeks between runs.”
Ryan also has Picardy Rose entered for a fillies and mares 1200m sprint on Saturday.