Last year’s winner Redzel was promoted to equal favourite following Tuesday night’s spectacular barrier draw for the 2018 $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Redzel, above, has drawn barrier one in The Everest 2018 at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Redzel drew the rails in the twelve horse The Everest field and shares favouritism at $7 with Trapeze Artist and Vega Magic at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Redzel won the inaugural running of The Everest twelve months ago with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle and the high profile hoop will be back on top again this weekend.

Co-trainer Peter Snowden was excited Redzel drew the inside barrier which will be a huge assistance to the on speed sprinter and McEvoy is certain to take full advantage of the number one gate.

“I think against these horses, the draw is crucial to a lot of horse’s chances,” Peter Snowden told The Daily Telegraph.

“That and the track conditions are probably the two biggest factors because there’s not much between them in ability.”

“If you draw a soft gate you’re there without doing much work but when you’re out wide you have to do a bit of work to get across.”

Redzel is equally as good on top of the ground or on a wet surface and the forecast of a rain affected track for The Everest  will also suite his galloping style.

The multiple Group 1 winner has overcome a slight setback that saw him miss a run in the Group 2 $200,000 Bowermans Office Furniture Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 15 but Peter Snowden said that he has come on in great style after finishing fifth to Santa Ana Lane in the Group 2 $500,000 Santos Coffee Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 29.

“The horse is ready to go,” Peter Snowden said.

“He worked very well on Tuesday morning and we’re very happy with him. He’s tightened up nicely and his work was sharp.”

“It’s a different sort of preparation but what I saw from him in his work on Tuesday morning told me he was back where he was before the race last year.”

The Gerald Ryan trained Trapeze Artist drew barrier six with Tye Angland in the saddle while Lindsay Park’s Vega Magic will jump from gate seven for Damien Oliver.

The Anthony Freedman trained Shoals is next in the betting at $7.50 and has drawn nicely at barrier two for Tim Clark while her stablemate Santa Ana Lane, barrier 9 with Ben Melham aboard, is marked at $8.

Final field and barrier draw for The Everest 2018