Making his first start of the season, Redkirk Warrior (GB) blew away his opposition with a display of sustained speed in Saturday's $200,000 Group II Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).
Looking every inch the horse who spaced the opposition in the Group I Newmarket Handicap (1200m) back in March, Redkirk Warrior (GB) took control of the race at the halfway stage under Reagan Bayliss and almost certainly locked up a spot in the $10 million Everest.
A two-time winner in the UK, before being sold to Hong Kong in the hope of winning the Hong Kong Derby, Redkirk Warrior (GB) has taken the switch to sprinting in his stride.
The Perth raider Scales Of Justice raced erratically at his first attempt down the straight and is sure to be improved with his second although beaten two and a half lengths. Land Of Plenty stayed on strongly to claim third. (photo Grant Courtney)
"The stable felt he was going better than he was before the Newmarket," co-trainer David Hayes said.
"I reckon that was an improved version of the Newmarket when you factor in the weight he carried.
"I've been seeing his raw ability for the past 12 months. If he gets the right conditions in Sydney it's going to take a good one to beat him.
Hayes said it has been a long time since he's had two sprinters of the class of Vega Magic and Redkirk Warrior.
"It would be luck in running and which one handles Sydney the best," he said
"There's nothing between them and both are top-class sprinters.
"His (Redkirk Warrior's) first win in a race was over 2000
One of 5 stakes winner by the Group I Juddmonte Stakes winner Notnowcato (Inchinor), Redkirk Warrior (GB) is a half-brother to six winners out of the unraced Selkirk mare Flag a half-sister to the Listed stakes winner Armenian Dancer.
