The Melbourne Racing Club have formulated a ‘win and you’re in’ concept after securing a slot for the 2019 $14m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19.
Redzel, above, was the winner of the first two runnings of The Everest in 2017 and 2018. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Everest slot owned by the Australian Turf Club became available after the Melbourne Racing Club’s bid for Damion Flower’s Jadeskye Racing’s slot was beaten by global powerhouse Godolphin.
The Melbourne Racing Club was then given the opportunity to acquire the Australian Turf Club’s slot before announcing the unique opportunity for the winner of the Group 2 $400,000 Keno Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on October 12 to be allotted that Everest slot.
“We believe that forging a partnership of this kind with the Australian Turf Club around the Everest and the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival will generate significant interest and value for Australian racing as a whole,” Melbourne Racing Club, Chief Executive Officer Josh Blanksby said.
“From an MRC perspective, connecting the Schillaci to the Everest, will see an increased interest in racing on Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Day – as well as the lead-up races preceding it.
“This concept breaks down barriers by fostering collaboration, embracing two great racing carnivals to benefit the entire industry, our members, participants, fans and punters.”
“The MRC is and always has been a forward-thinking club that looks for ways to embrace the competition to the benefit of our members and the sport of horse racing generally,” Melbourne Racing Club Chairman, Peter Le Grand said.
“The Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in world racing and this new partnership gives a unique angle for 2019 which will make it the most exciting edition yet.”
Horses will become eligible to be included in the scheme by running in the qualifying lead up races to the Schillaci Stakes in the Listed $140,000 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) on August 17, the Group 3 $160,000 The Heath (1100m) on August 31 and in the Listed $140,000 Testa Rosa Stakes (1200m), all at Caulfield.
The Melbourne Racing Club will host the Group 1 $5.15m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on the same day as The Everest.
The Peter And Paul Snowden trained Redzel has been the winner of the first two runnings of The Everest in 2017 and 2018 and will run in the slot owned by Yulong Investments in 2019.
Other slots for the 2019 The Everest that have been allocated are The Star – Arcadia Queen, Max Whitby – Sunlight, TAB – Santa Ana Lane, Aquis – Pierata, Bon Ho & Carmel Size Racing – Classique Legend and Inglis – In Her Time.
Early betting for the 2019 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5.50 Santa Ana Lane, $7 Osborne Bulls, $8 Arcadia Queen, Pierata, $9 Sunlight, $10 Classique Legend, $11 Redzel, $12 Nature Strip, $13 Alizee, In Her Time, $15 Brutal, Ten Sovereigns, $17 Graff, $21 Enticing Star, Hot King Prawn, Zoustyle, $26 Advertise, The Bostonian, $34 or better the rest.
