Redzel to begin Everest countdown
Dual winner Redzel will begin the countdown to a third Everest when he runs in a Gosford trial.
Dual Everest winner Redzel will follow the same path towards the rich race as a year ago starting with a barrier trial at Gosford.
The gelding will have seven rivals in Monday’s 800m-heat including the Kris Lees-trained In Her Time who is also headed to the $14 million sprint on October 19 at Randwick.
Lees also has Graff in the trial and is hoping the four-year-old can snare one of the final Everest slots.
Redzel will trial without his blinkers with co-trainer Paul Snowden saying Monday will be a pipe-opener.
“He will have another trial about ten days later and first-up into the Concorde,” he said.
“It’s just about getting his fitness up and then it’s another step up to the second trial.”
Group One winner El Dorado Dreaming from the Lees stable also runs in the second heat at Gosford as does the Anthony Cummings-trained Vegadaze.
A day later, last year’s Everest placegetter Osborne Bulls will be seen for the first time since the autumn when he strung together five Group One second placings.
The sprinter is in contention for an Everest slot this year with his owner Godolphin buying the slot forfeited by Damion Flower who is facing serious drug importation charges.
He will be joined in Tuesday’s 1000m-trial by Group One-winning stablemate Avilius and elite performers Nature Strip, Patrick Erin and Unforgotten from the Chris Waller stable.
The Waller-trained Yes Yes Yes and Verry Elleegant will run in the second of two trials on the course proper on Tuesday.