Dual Everest winner Redzel is the firming favourite in the betting for the Group 1 $1m VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington today.
Redzel, above, continues to firm in the betting for the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.
Redzel handled the heavy Randwick track to perfection when he won his second $13m The Everest (1200m) on October 13 but back on top of the ground today at Flemington hasn’t deterred his followers from backing up on the front running sprinter.
The Flemington track has been rated a Good 4 for the final day of the 2018 four day Melbourne Cup Carnival but the firmer racing surface won’t bother Redzel who has won ten times on a Good rated track.
Redzel continues to firm in the betting for the VRC Sprint Classic from $5 to $3.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au on race morning, while his nearest rivals in the betting are the James Cummings trained Kementari at $7 and Greg Hickman’s Pierata who has eased form $5 to to be the third pick at $7.50.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said that Redzel has pulled up in great order after his history making second win The Everest and has a great chance to win back to back VRC Sprint Classics after claiming victory down the Flemington straight last year.
“He pulled up so well from the Everest,” Peter Snowden told AAP.
“That was on very taxing ground but he handled it so well, it just took nothing out of him.
“He’s had a nice trial in between and fitness-wise I think he’s perfect.”
“I wouldn’t swap him for any other horse in the race.”
“As respectful as I am, I think he’s the best horse.
“He’s proven that in the past. But you’ve got to keep doing it.
Redzel has drawn barrier eight in the fourteen horse VRC Sprint Classic field with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle again.
Pierata will jump from gate three in his first try down the Flemington straight with Tommy Berry retaining the ride after steering the four year old to victory in the Group 3 $500,000 Camera House Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Everest Day while Kementari has Glyn Schofield back aboard from gate nine.
