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| Staff Writer |
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The highly talented 3YO Cylinder, has been selected by slot holder James Harron, for the A$20 million Everest. The decision was made after defending champion Giga Kick had to be pulled out due to an injury and Harron was left searching for a replacement. The son of Exceed And Excel ran third in Saturday's Gr.1 Golden Rose after enduring a tough run. So no jockey has been announced for the horse yet. Meanwhile, Australian international superstar Zac Purton will ride Godolphin mare In Secret in The Everest.
Purton has been chosen to ride In Secret, trained by James Cummings, in The Everest. This confirms that the mare will run for the Godolphin slot in the $20m showpiece, as anticipated. He will also ride Light Infantry for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in the King Charles III Stakes.
Group One winner In Secret has competed at Randwick six times, securing a win in the Gr.2 Light Fingers Stakes and finishing in the top three on three other occasions including Coolmore Stud Stakes (2022) and this year's Newmarket Handicap.
“We are naturally delighted to team up with Godolphin and Cylinder, he’s been a horse we’ve been following closely and admiring from afar,” Harron said.
“He’s obviously a super-talented colt and I think he has the right profile to be very competitive in the race.
“Every time he goes around he puts in, I don’t think he’s ever run a bad race, and Saturday was no different.
“Things didn’t work out well for him, but he was still extremely tough and showed his star talent.
“The 3YOs have a great record in the race and we felt he was the right 3YO to go into the race, so we are very grateful that Godolphin has agreed to partner with us.”
At weight-for-age, three-year-olds have a great record in winning two of only six editions of The Everest.
Cummings also believes Cylinder has the right credentials to challenge the best sprinters in Australia.
“We couldn’t be more delighted with In Secret after The Shorts, as a dual Group One winner who has defeated the best, her presence in the pinnacle of Australian sprint racing has our entire Godolphin team buzzing with excitement.
“This colt Cylinder is an absolute powerhouse and his selection in this race is well-deserved.
“He’s bouncing around after Saturday and, with three weeks to The Everest and another three weeks to the Coolmore Stud Stakes it sets a great path for the colt,” said trainer James Cummings