English and Invincible Star out of Everest
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will not have a runner in The Everest with both English and Invincible Star ruled out of the $13 million race.
The Kelly family, owners of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare, have decided she should not run after she pulled up slightly lame following a jump-out at Randwick.
English finished last of four runners in Monday’s hit-out and Racing NSW chief veterinary surgeon Toby Koenig subsequently diagnosed her as grade 1/5 lame.
She was to run in the slot held by a group headed by Damien Flower.
English’s stablemate Invincible Star, who was to run for GPI Racing, is also out with Koenig assessing her as 3/5 lame after examining her on Monday following her unplaced run in the Premiere Stakes.
Tulloch Lodge has indicated both mares could run in the Group Three Sydney Stakes on Everest day, October 13, but they will need to be passed fit by Racing NSW.
The Australian Turf Club is expected to announce on Wednesday which horse will run in its name with connections pulling the pin on Nature Strip after his failure in Friday night’s Group One Moir Stakes won by Viddora.
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell believes Viddora deserves a slot but so far he has been unable to negotiate a suitable deal.
The Kris Lees-trained triple Group One winner Le Romain is also in the mix.
The Anthony Freedman-trained Santa Ana Lane and Shoals, who ran one-two in Saturday’s Premiere Stakes, are $7 equal favourites for The Everest alongside the Gerald Ryan-trained Trapeze Artist.