Champion sprinter Redzel began his countdown to a third $14m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19 when he stepped out in an 800m barrier trials at Gosford today.
Redzel, above, will be chasing a third consecutive win in the 2019 The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Regular rider Kerrin McEvoy never released the brakes on Redzel who had an easy trial to finish second to Damien Lane trained Oakfield Twilight who set the pace from start.
Redzel is the winner of the first two running’s of The Everest but the Peter and Paul Snowden trained sprinter hasn’t graced the winner’s stall since winning his second Everest during the 2018 Sydney Spring Carnival.
Redzel was having his first solid hit out since finishing second, as favourite, to I Am Excited in the Group 2 $200,000 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 27 and co-trainer Paul Snowden was happy with what he saw.
“We never do have (blinkers on) the first trial back is always a soft one within himself and he is usually pretty casual but he was good today,” co-trainer Paul Snowden told Sky Sports Radio.
“He has shown a fair bit of intent there the last furlong without being asked to do anything.
“It was a nice trial first-up, probably better than what he did last year first-up so he is on-track and happy with what he did.”
Team Snowden will schedule a second barrier trial for Redzel before the seven year old begins his Everest quest in the Group 3 $160,000 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 7.
Redzel will run in the slot owned by Yulong Investments and early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has the two time winner marked at $11 to claim The Everest for a third consecutive year while the Anthony Freedman trained Santa Ana Lane heads up the market order at $5.
Early betting for the 2019 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 Santa Ana Lane, $7 Osborne Bulls, $8 Arcadia Queen, Pierata, $9 Sunlight, $10 Classique Legend, $11 Redzel, $13 Alizee, In Her Time, $15 Brutal, Enticing Star, Ten Sovereigns, $17 Graff, $21 Hot King Prawn, Zoustyle, Nature Strip, $26 Advertise, The Bostonian, Yes Yes Yes, $34 Vega Magic, Zousain, $41 or better the rest.
