Everest on the agenda as Redzel returns in style
SUPERSTAR five-year-old Redzel looks set to take part in The Everest after a commanding win in the Group Three Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
Setting the early tempo at the front, the +120 favourite at Crownbet.com.au, cruised into the straight before letting down at the 200m mark to torch its rivals, including another horse competing for an Everest spot, Spieth.
No other horse returned a dividend in the four runner field.
Paul Snowden, who trains the horse alongside his father Peter, said during the week that Saturday’s race would “probably go a long way to deciding who gets a run in The Everest”, and he said the horse staked its claim nicely in the group three race.
“It’s been all about an Everest preparation,” Snowden said.
“Today just started that. We will space his runs to get a result as we’ve done in the last two preparations.”
Redzel was rated perfectly by Kerrin McEvoy, who took the horse straight to the front and was never headed.
Snowden said the plan was always to take the gelding to the head of affairs.
“We were always going to make our intentions quite early and be aggressive.
“It’s how he likes to roll.”
The winning jockey said that the Doomben 10,000 winner has “improved” following four months off the track.
“Peter and Paul said he’s fast, use that first furlong to get control of the race and just build it up from there,” McEvoy said.
“He’s arguably improved heading into this preparation.”
While the win has not rubber-stamped Redzel’s slot in The Everest, Snowdon believes the Concorde run “speaks for itself”.
“It’s four weeks to the Moir and no doubt he’s going to be mighty hard to beat there and hopefully we pick up a slot very soon.”
McEvoy echoed the trainer’s sentiments, saying Redzel has earned its place in the world’s richest race.
“He deserves a spot in the (Everest) field,” McEvoy said.
“Everything is pointing towards a great preparation. It’s funny, when I looked at his form, you think he has been around for ages, but he’s actually only five years old.
“He’s a lovely horse and great to be on him today.”