David Hayes will have a strong hand in The Everest with his sprint stars Redkirk Warrior and Vega Magic both being confirmed as runners.
Photo: Darryl Sherer
Redkirk Warrior will run for the Star Entertainment Group who were happy to go with Hayes' recommendation to race the Newmarket Handicap winner in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.
Everest slot holder Max Whitby has picked up Hayes stablemate Vega Magic, the Group I Memsie Stakes winner, for his Everest place.
It means there are only two Everest slots left in the final field of 12.
Hopefuls such as Clearly Innocent and Russian Revolution can mount their cases in races over the weekend.
Redkirk Warrior became the first horse in more than a century to win the Group I Newmarket Handicap first-up earlier this year and his impressive winning return in the Group II Bobbie Lewis at Flemington helped convince The Star of his Everest credentials.
"When we purchased a slot for The Everest, we decided to partner with David and his stable at Lindsay Park to maximise our chances of success," said Michael Hodgson, GM Business Development and Partnerships at The Star Entertainment Group.
"It was a deliberately different approach.
"Rather than settle on a horse from the outset and risk loss of form or injury to our runner in the lead-up to the race, we have worked with David over time and been guided by him on the most suitable selection from his stable to contest the event.
"We have valued David's ongoing dialogue on the options available and now that we have reached a decision he remains unswerving in his opinion that Redkirk Warrior is a very strong contender."
Whitby, a prominent Sydney owner, told ATC TV it was likely a Victorian jockey would ride Vega Magic in The Everest.
"We are very excited, Vega Magic's times are very and his prospects are very good," Whitby said.
Hayes, the Hall Of Famer who trains in partnership with his son Ben and Tom Dabernig, has a strong hand in The Everest.
Redkirk Warrior is on the third line of betting for The Everest, at $9 with Sportsbet, while Vega Magic is the second
Meanwhile, the ATC has launched its 'Race in the Everest' competition which will see 10 on-course patrons over the next two weeks win an owners experience on Everest day and win a share in up to $120,000.
Five people will be selected on both Epsom Day on Saturday and Spring Champion Stakes Day on 7 October to join the ATC and Australian Bloodstock in the ownership of Brave Smash for the world’s richest race on turf.
