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| Sumita Pawar |
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Godolphin's top contender for The Everest, In Secret, may face tough competition from sprint stars Nature Strip and Eduardo when she returns to racing in the Concorde Stakes next month.
Trainer James Cummings announced his plans for the talented mare after her impressive barrier trial at Royal Randwick. In Secret, ridden by James McDonald, effortlessly cruised through the 850m trial and finished strongly to secure third place behind stablemate Kallos.
Cummings confirmed that In Secret, who won the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket Handicap last season, is likely to resume her campaign in the Gr.3 $1m Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on September 2.
"We are happy with In Secret's progress and I'm quite interested in running her in the Concorde first-up before having a look at a spring program,'' Cummings said.
Concorde Stakes: Nature Strip And Eduardo Set For A Thrilling Sprint
With only two months remaining until The Everest, there are currently only four confirmed starters: Giga Kick, I Wish I Win, Think About It, and Mazu. This leaves eight vacant slots for the world's richest turf race. Godolphin has one of these slots, but it is customary for them to announce their runner only a week or two before the race.
While In Secret is a likely choice for Godolphin's slot, there is speculation that their stablemate, crack colt Cylinder, may also be considered by the slot-holder. The Concorde Stakes is shaping up to be an exciting sprint, as both Nature Strip and Eduardo are set to make their comeback in the 1000m race. Nature Strip, the previous Concorde winner, pleased trainer Chris Waller with a close second-place finish in a recent barrier trial.
"I thought it was a great trial, he has come back really well,'' Waller said of Nature Strip.
"He seems more tractable and James (McDonald, jockey) could have eased him (further) back. The plan is to trial him again before the Concorde.''
Waller, who also has an Everest slot, has multiple options to consider, including Nature Strip, Golden Slipper winner Shinzo, and talented mare Zougotcha, who resumes in the Group 3 $250,000 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer Joe Pride also has three potential Everest runners, with his sprinter Think About It already selected by slot-holder Newgate. Pride confirmed that Eduardo will have a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Friday, while Private Eye, last year's Everest runner-up, will trial on August 25, and Think About It a week later.
"They are all going back to the races at a different time,'' Pride explained.
"Eduardo is first-up in the Concorde Stakes, Private Eye will resume in The Shorts (September 16) and Think About It runs in the Premiere Stakes (September 30).''
In other training news, Godolphin's Zapateo and Corniche gave a pleasing performance in an 850m heat at the Randwick trials. Zapateo, a dual Group 1 placegetter, dominated the race and won by nearly three lengths, while Corniche, who defeated Shinzo in the Skyline Stakes earlier this year, held his ground to finish second.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stayers White Marlin and Goldman continued their preparations for the Melbourne Cup, finishing second and fourth respectively in a 1250m heat won by Annabel Neasham's talented My Oberon.