Sprinting king Redzel has firmed in the betting to make it three consecutive wins in the Group 3 $160,000 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.
Redzel, above, has firmed in the betting for the 2019 Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Redzel had opend up as one of the outsiders in the small six horse Concorde Stakes field at $7.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au but has firmed in $1 to $6.50 on race morning.
The dual Everest winner is going for his third straight win in the Concorde Stakes and even though the seven year old won a recent 1000m Rosehill barrier under double wraps, co-trainer Peter Snowden said that a good solid first up effort is what he is looking for.
“This is slightly harder than previous years but he doesn’t have to win for me to be happy,” Peter Snowden told the Racing New South Wales News Desk.
“I just want to see him run well against quality opposition. That means begin well and show good speed, he’ll probably race a bit fresh but it is 1000m.”
“There are horses in that race similar to him. I don’t have to see him win but I want to see him be in a fight and if he gets beaten it’s only in the last three or four strides rather than putting his hand up at the furlong.”
“I’d be disappointed if he does that. I just want to see a positive run.”
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Redzel is also the winner of the last two runnings of The Everest (1200m) ($10m, 2017, $13m, 2018) and will run in Yu Long Investments’ slot for this year’s rendition which is up to $14 million at Randwick on October 19.
Regular rider Kerrin McEvoy is in the saddle again for the Concorde Stakes and Redzel will jump from gate three in the six horse field.
Concorde Stakes rivals Sunlight (Max Whitby’s slot) and Pierata (Aquis’ slot) are already locked in to run in The Everest while Nature Strip, Graff and Zoustyle will be looking to impress the remaining slot holders yet to make a selection.
The Chris Waller trained Nature Strip is the solid $2.30 favourite for the Concorde Stakes ahead of Sunlight at $5, Zoustyle at $6, Redzel at $6.50, Pierata at $7.50 and Graff at $8.
