Unbeaten Irish colt Caravaggio will fill Coolmore’s slot in the first running of the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.
Randwick 1200m specialist Chautuauqa, above, is the early favourite for The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Caravaggio, from the Ballydoyle stables of champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, kept his unbeaten record intact when he made it six wins from six starts in the Group 1 £400,000 Commonwealth Cup (6 furlongs) on day four of the Royal Ascot Carnival in England on June 23.
Part owner and Coolmore Australia Principal Tom Magnier told Big Sports Breakfast Weekend show that Caravaggio would now be set to target The Everest during the 2017 Sydney Spring Carnival.
“We took a slot in The Everest and we have had Caravaggio in mind for our slot for awhile,’’ Magnier said.
“The plan at the moment is to give him a light summer preparation over here and aim for down there.
“Caravaggio is very exciting. He is a horse that has been improving all the time.
“Aidan (O’Brien) has had some good horses but he says this is the fastest horse he has trained and the colt backed that up at Royal Ascot.”
Another Royal Ascot winner, trainer Wesley Ward’s American filly Lady Aurelia, could also be a contender for The Everest after winning the Group 1 £400,000 King’s Stand Stakes (5 furlongs) on day one of the Royal Ascot Carnival on June 20.
Caravaggio will now join multiple Group 1 winner and Randwick 1200m specialist Chautauqua, Gold Slipper winner She Will Reign, Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Houtzen and top line sprinter Fell Swoop as contenders for the inaugural running of The Everest.
Early betting for The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au has the Team Hawkes trained Chautauqua as the $4.80 favourite ahead of Caravaggio at $7 and She Will Reign and Winx at $8.
Early market order for the 2017 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Chautauqua, $7 Caravaggio, $8 She Will Reign, Winx, $11 Lady Aurelia, $13 Russian Revolution, English, $15 Houtzen, Spieth, Vega Magic, $21 Bound For Nowhere, Fell Swoop, $26 Acapulco, Black Heart Bart, Lankan Rupee, Limato, Mecca’s Angel, Redzel, Terravista, $34 or better the rest.
