Could Jukebox be singing from The Everest?

Ben Dorries - Thursday September 14

Ciaron Maher's unbeaten colt Jukebox has emerged as a smoky to score an Everest start with the Victorian trainer revealing he had fielded calls from slot holders.

Advertisement
Could there be a Jukebox playing sweet tunes on The Everest?

On a weekend when Everest candidates push their claims in races in Sydney and Melbourne, the three-year-old son of Snitzel will be looking for make it four from four when he contests the Group II Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Six of the 12 Everest slots appear to be locked in for the rich weight-for-age race which will see 12 sprinters compete for $10million in prizemoney at Randwick on October 14.

Maher said that Jukebox's main spring goal remained the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 4.

But he indicated there had been interest from Everest slot holders and he did not rule out a surprise mission to climb the mountain.

If he blows away some talented sprint rivals in the Danehill, the Everest interest will only intensify.

"A couple of people with an interest in the Everest have rung me and asked me what my plans are with Jukebox," Maher said.

"The most likely plan is still to head towards the Coolmore.

"But if he happens to come out and win by a margin in the Danehill there would be increased Everest interest and we would have to work things out from there.

"All the older sprinters appear to be locked into the Everest and a lot of the interest at the moment is about three-year-olds who get in well at the weights."

Unbeaten Jukebox struts his stuff in fine style Photo: Darryl Sherer

Jukebox, who resumed with a narrow win in the Group II Vain Stakes last month, is $5 with CrownBet to continue his winning ways in Saturday's Danehill Stakes.

Maher is confident about his chances but has high respect for unbeaten Godolphin sprinter Esperance ($4.40) and Group I-winning filly Catchy ($4 fav).

"Jukebox has definitely improved from his first-up win and he has cleaned up really nicely," Maher said.

"He is a horse of great ability.

"I do know though this is a quality field and going down the straight track is a bit of an unknown for us."

Bookies are split as to Jukebox's Everest potential, with prices on the colt currently ranging from $17 to $51 in markets for The Everest.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Top Filly Beats Top Colt in G1 Prix Morny
The Group I Prix Morny (1200m) at Deauville overnight produced a mightly clash between unbeaten Starspangled banner colt Gstaad and unbeaten filly Venetian Sun with the filly prevailing, although Starspangledbanner got some consolation with a new G3 winning 2YO at Goodwood.
Jukebox ready to play in 2017 Vain Stakes
A good spell has landed smart colt Jukebox in better condition for his bid to remain unbeaten in Saturday’s Group III Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Spring Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
There was an interesting set of trials at Hawkesbury on Monday that featured heat winners including Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as well as the Waterhouse Bott stable Cups contenders Sir Delius (GB) and Vauban (FR), plus we may have seen an Everest horse.
Commemorative Retired to Stud
Watching the progress of Godolphin horses as they start stepping our for their new trainers has been interesting to say the least and will get more so this weekend when we see Tom Kitten go around in the Group I MRC Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, but one horse we won’t be seeing again is Commemorative.
First Southern Hemisphere foals for Paddington
A four-time Group I winner by champion French sire Siyouni, European superstar, PADDINGTON, has had his first Southern Hemisphere foals arrive on the ground at Windsor Park.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Merchant Navy 3YO Primed for Spring Stakes Campaign
Cody Cole is happy to play a waiting game with Landlock before confirming the three-year-old’s main goals for the season.
Was it that Unusual? Who is the Oldest?
There was a lot of attention in the media regarding the age of Australian Horse of the Year elect Via Sistina (IRE) when she returned to racing for a new campaign at Randwick last Saturday, but was it really that uncommon to see an eight year-old G1 winner?
Well Bred Zousain Debut Winner
A full sister to Zousain’s Group III winning filly Drifting, Cheeky Contiki made a winning debut at Pakenham on Monday for the Lindsay Park Racing team.
Jukebox starting to play spring tune in Caulfield jumpout
Unbeaten colt Jukebox will have another jumpout before he races after a quiet outing at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.