Redzel climbs Everest again

Redzel ($8.50), brilliantly rated in front by Kerrin McEvoy, led throughout to win The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday by one-anda-quarter lengths from a very game Trapeze Artist ($10) with Osborne Bulls ($21) coming right down the outside fence to finish third, one-anda-half lengths away.

Shoals was sent out the $5 favourite but was struggling before the turn and finished 11th, more than 13 lengths behind the winner.

Redzel took his prizemoney to a staggering A$15,372,000, passing Makybe Diva’s A$14,526,690 to move into second on the all-time prizemoney list behind Winx with A$19,884,924.

But unlike last year, Peter Snowden conceded Redzel’s Everest preparation didn’t exactly go like clockwork.

Redzel won the Concorde Stakes brilliantly first-up but then got cast in his box and was a race morning scratching from The Shorts. The Snowdens had to revamp Redzel’s Everest programme and their sprinter ran only fifth in his lead-up, the Premiere Stakes.

“Redzel has been in that box at our stables for two and a half years and never done that before,’’ Snowden said.

“It mucked up his whole preparation, it wasn’t on the cards for that to happen.

“We had a bit of work to do from his last start defeat but I was confident the horse had made the necessary improvement.

“Kerrin gave him a masterly ride. He judged the pace perfectly and gave the horse every chance to finish off hard.

“He did it tough today, he did it from the front so I take my hat off to him, I’m so proud of him.’’

Sky Racing’s Greg Radley then asked Snowden if Redzel could return and win a third Everest next year.

“Three would be too much to ask, I suppose,’’ Snowden said. “We are just going to lap up today.’’

McEvoy remains the only jockey to enjoy the euphoric Everestwinning feeling.

McEvoy revealed he approached the A$13 million race with an open mind about his race tactics.

”There were a few scenarios going through Peter and Paul’s heads and mine as to how it might unfold. I thought Ryan Moore’s horse (US Navy Flag) might be a bit of a pest early, maybe Hayes’ horse (Vega Magic) with the blinkers on if he got a bit keen,” McEvoy said.

“From the 1 gate, that was Plan A, to control it from the front. He loved the ground and is such a little warrior. He is a joy to be a part of.”