Fell Swoop and English had a look at Randwick on Monday morning as their mission towards being the first to scale The Everest begins to take shape.
The Matt Dale-trained Fell Swoop was ridden by Tye Angland when finishing a hard-held third behind Nieta in a 735m trial whilst the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained English finished 4-1/2 lengths behind Redzel in a 1045m trial for Blake Shinn.
Some big names stepped out @royalrandwick this morning for an important trial ahead of #TheEverest including @tabcomau's runner English! pic.twitter.com/ZKebFqy5Lq
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 20, 2017
Another strong trial win by Nieta with #TheEverest contender Fell Swoop being cuddled in 3rd. Impressive by the @inglis_sales slot holder! pic.twitter.com/KloHyyVmH8
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 21, 2017
"It's exactly what I wanted," Dale said. "It was every bit as good a trial as he has ever put in at this stage of a campaign.
"His coat is still a bit wintery so that will help bring him on.
"He recovered quickly and is on track for another trial at Rosehill over 900m in two weeks."
Dale has mapped a program which will tackle the $10 million The Everest at Randwick on October 14 third-up.
"He will resume in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick then we'll look at either the Moir (Melbourne) or Premiere (Sydney)," Dale said.
Fell Swoop, representing slot holder Inglis in The Everest, has won nine of his 23 starts.
The six-year-old son of Not A Single Doubt is yet to win at Group I level, but has been Group I placed on five occasions.
No rider has been confirmed for The Everest although Dale expects a decision to be made in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Adrian Bott was pleased with the progress of English.
"She traveled strongly under a good hold," Bott said. "It was a strong hit-out but nothing too strenuous.
"She'll have another trial then into The Shorts then the Premiere prior to The Everest.
"Blake was over the moon with how she felt. He thought she'd made significant improvement from a track gallop earlier in the week.
"She wants to do it and pulled up well. We couldn't be happier."
Shinn will pilot English first-up although no rider has been confirmed for The Everest.
Sportsbet has English quoted at $13 with Fell Swoop at $26 in their Everest 'all-in' market.
