The build-up to The Everest continues to be the talk of the track in Sydney and again that was the case at Rosehill on Saturday with just 21 days until the race is run.
VICTORIAN COUNTRY FORM TOO MUCH FOR AN EVEREST RUNNER TO HANDLE
A horse with a Victorian benchmark rating of 75 touched off the Australian Turf Club’s The Everest runner Brave Smash at Caulfield on Saturday.
The former Japanese galloper, imported to Australian by Australian Bloodstock, was beaten into second placing in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) by Bons Away, a progressive four-year-old that had won its past three starts at Sale, Mildura and Seymour.
UP, UP and AWAY! Bons Away upstages Brave Smash to claim the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes. A running double for Linda Meech. pic.twitter.com/xtLEPoz9SC
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 23, 2017
The selection of Brave Smash by Sydney’s race club has been questioned by many, including myself, due to the horse being trained in Victoria and raced by a syndicator that has no horses trained at an ATC track.
His trainer Darren Weir averages around 2500 runners a year yet has only had a measly 31 starters at Sydney tracks during his career.
Many believe the decision to choose Brave Smash was on the basis that it adds an international flavour to the race, being a Japanese-bred galloper.
I was always taught to ‘support those who support you’ - maybe they should have looked closer to home?
CLEAR A SPACE
He’s won Melbourne Cups, a Golden Slipper, a Caulfield Cup and many more Group Is but Kerrin McEvoy says a space will be cleared in the trophy cabinet if he can capture victory in the $10 million The Everest.
McEvoy was on hand at the public release of The Everest trophy which is valued at $320,000.
The work of art contains 230 stones of round brilliant cut diamonds, 7777 of black round diamonds and two round rubies.
It took 924-man hours to be made by luxury jeweller Cerrone.
"It’s some trophy,” McEvoy said. "The design is amazing.
"If I’m lucky enough to win it, it will be getting a prime spot in the trophy cabinet.
"Redzel is an exciting horse to ride and I certainly wouldn't change my ride.”
TART SET TO SHINE AT RANDWICK NEXT WEEK
Egg Tart galloped in pacifiers as she rounded out her Epsom Handicap preparations in a 1000m exhibition gallop at Rosehill on Saturday.
Kerrin McEvoy was in the saddle when Egg Tart reeled off 35.58 seconds for the last 600m.
"Exactly what I wanted to see,” Waller said. "She’s a lovely mare with a great attitude. Bombproof.
"I work her in the pacifiers to block out any distractions. They keep her focused but she won’t race in them next week.''
The two-time Group I-winner is the $5 second favourite for next week’s feature Randwick mile.
MAGIC MAN BACK IN TOWN NEXT WEEK
Joao Moreira will again showcase his wares in Sydney next week when he will ride a couple of leading Chris Waller-trained contenders in the Epsom Handicap and The Metropolitan.
Moreira will be aboard the Bill Ritchie Handicap winner Comin’ Through in the famous Randwick mile handicap and last start Kingston Town Stakes runner-up Antonio Giuseppe in the 2400m Group I handicap.
Waller’s racing manager Liam Prior said on Saturday the stable will have at least four Epsom Handicap runners, Comin’ Through, Egg Tart, Foxplay and Tom Melbourne. He said McCreery "is a possible starter”.
They will also have four in The Metropolitan with Antonio Giuseppe likely to be joined by Who Shot Thebarman, Libran and Life Less Ordinary.
Moreira is also booked to ride Mackintosh in the Group II Hill Stakes and a two-year-old filly for the Waller stable in the Gimcrack Stakes while he’ll also be aboard one of Gary Portelli’s juvenile colts in the Breeders Plate.
TWO WISE MEN
Trainer Kris Lees and jockey Corey Brown have been around long enough to know when they are going to be on the wrong side of a protest decision.
Brown had ridden the Lees-trained Admiral Jello into second place behind the Richard Freedman-trained Auvray in the Group III Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill on Saturday but lodged an objection for interference in the straight with the margin being a close short-head.
Auvray, Admiral Jello and Broadside fight out a cracking finish to the G3 Colin Stephen Quality at #Rosehill! pic.twitter.com/zVnPCffvKV
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 23, 2017
Stewards took evidence from both side before adjourning to make their decision.
Outside the stewards’ room Lees and Brown were optimistic about their chances as the footage had shown Auvray’s inward shift placed Admiral Jello into restricted room for a good distance.
But when the stewards’ room door opened within two minutes, the challengers conceded defeat.
"A bit too quick for my liking,” Lees said before Brown added, "Not long enough”.
Stewards duly dismissed their objection.
RICH CARROT GIVES TRAINER PLENTY TO THINK ABOUT
Goulburn trainer Danny Williams was non-committal about his exciting prospect Don’t Give A Damn contesting the upcoming $200,000 Anniversary Highway (1400m) after the lightly-raced gelding’s demolition job at Rosehill on Saturday.
Having just his third start, Don’t Give A Damn scored a 6-1/2 length win in the Highway Class 2 Handicap (1500m) giving his trainer plenty to think about.
Wasn't that impressive?! Don't Give A Damn gives his rivals an absolute hiding in the TAB Highway Handicap at #Rosehill! pic.twitter.com/jTWsb6ajIZ
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 23, 2017
"We'll give him a few days in the paddock and then decide whether we freshen him up for Everest day or put him away and look at something further down the track," Williams said.
"I have Pumpkin Pie as my leading chance for the Anniversary Highway."
Should Williams chose to bide his time with the son of Bon Hoffa, the 2018 Country Championships series would appear the logical long-term goal with the final at Randwick in April worth a whopping $500,000.
The Anniversary Highway will be run on October 14 at Randwick.
FRANKEL YOUNGSTERS WAITING FOR AUTUMN
Impressive Frankel three-year-olds Merovee and Woman are both in the paddock at John Singleton’s Strawberry Hills property and will target the autumn carnival.
The Chris Waller-trained Merovee finished second in his most recent start in the Group III Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle while the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Woman made a strong start to her career with a two-length win in a fillies’ set weights maiden (1250m) at Canterbury.
Singleton’s racing manager Duncan Grimley said both horses are being given the time to mature and he is adamant their futures appear bright.
"They are both lovely horses but being Frankel's, giving them time at this stage of their lives will be beneficial later on,” he said.
"They’ve gone out for six weeks and will be back in work early November. There’s plenty for them in the autumn.”
Grimley also revealed Woman has been mated up with Disney Dollars, the horse that was Woman’s dam More Joyous’s paddock mate during her illustrious racing career.
