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| Staff Writer |
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Bustling, the promising 3YO, has been withdrawn from The Everest, leaving co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr searching for answers. The son of Frosted failed to impress during his Tuesday morning trackwork, prompting the decision to pull him out of the US$13.4 million feature sprint.
Initially pegged as an outsider for The Everest, Bustling was set to contest Saturday's Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick as a stepping stone to the main event. However, his subpar performance on the training track has derailed those plans, leaving connections disappointed.
With Bustling's withdrawal, the Max Whitby and Neil Wherrett slot is now up for grabs. The Premiere Stakes is expected to play a crucial role in determining their new runner, with several high-profile contenders vying for a spot in The Everest.
The Everest, inaugurated in 2017, has seen some memorable performances over the years. Redzel claimed the first two editions, while Nature Strip stormed to victory in 2021. Whitby and Werrett have come agonisingly close to winning the race, with Vega Magic finishing a close second in the inaugural running and Masked Crusader narrowly missing out to Nature Strip in 2021. Last year, their representative Private Eye secured a commendable third place behind Think About It.
Saturday's Premiere Stakes is shaping up to be a crucial contest, with several Everest contenders set to clash. Among the nominations are 2022 Everest champion Giga Kick, defending title-holder Think About It, and the formidable duo of Private Eye and Mazu. The outcome of this race could well determine who secures the vacant Everest slot.
Bustling's journey to The Everest began with a sensational start to his career in Western Australia as a 2YO. His impressive performances caught the eye of new connections, who splashed out US$1.34 million to secure the colt. He became the first runner selected for this year's Everest, generating significant excitement in the racing community.
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr expressed his disappointment, saying, "It's a tough pill to swallow, but the horse's welfare comes first. We'll regroup and map out a new plan for Bustling. There's no doubt about his talent, and we're confident he'll bounce back stronger."
All eyes now turn to the Premiere Stakes, where a new Everest contender may well emerge from the pack. The withdrawal of Bustling serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of thoroughbred racing, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye.