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.

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

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Hcp Rating
1 11x2124x15 REDZEL Peter & Paul Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 1 58.5kg 118
2 x6x0311x51 SANTA ANA LANE Anthony Freedman Ben Melham 9 58.5kg 116
3 x74232x172 LE ROMAIN Kris Lees Glyn Schofield 11 58.5kg 115
4 0x14311x34 TRAPEZE ARTIST Gerald Ryan Tye Angland 6 58.5kg 115
5 11257x8x14 VEGA MAGIC David & B Hayes & T Dabernig Damien Oliver 7 58.5kg 115
6 531270×332 BRAVE SMASH (JPN) Darren Weir Hugh Bowman 4 58.5kg 112
7 1x1230x214 HOME OF THE BRAVE (IRE) James Cummings Scratched 0 58.5kg 111
8 110x45291x U S NAVY FLAG (USA) Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore 3 58kg 117
9 x112x139x3 IN HER TIME Kris Lees Corey Brown 8 56.5kg 114
10 21x81x1x32 SHOALS Anthony Freedman Tim Clark 2 56.5kg 114
11 x2411x20x1 VIDDORA Lloyd Kennewell Joe Bowditch 12 56.5kg 114
12 11×123 GRAFF Kris Lees Brenton Avdulla 10 53kg 94
13e 3x385x666x CLEARLY INNOCENT Kris Lees 0 58.5kg 109
14e 272123×015 DOTHRAKI Peter & Paul Snowden 0 58.5kg 108
15e 0081243697 JUNGLE EDGE Mick Bell 0 58.5kg 108
16e 121122×129 PIERATA Gregory Hickman 0 58.5kg 108
17e 1x13121x15 OSBORNE BULLS James Cummings Tommy Berry 5 58.5kg 106
18e 0x108661x3 SPRIGHT Garry Frazer 0 56.5kg 106

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.