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| Dane Squance |
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The opening trial on Thursday at Canterbury Park will see a mini-everest with the likes of Classique Legend, Lost And Running, Nature Strip and Overpass all possibly contenders.
Both Nature Strip and Lost And Running already have a slot, while previous Everest winner Classique Legend is likely to be given owner Bon Ho’s slot is he shows he is ready for the race, with Bjorn Baker still chasing a slot for his speedy Group 2 winner Overpass (pictured).
Lost And Running finished second, beaten four lengths in his most recent trial, while Overpass dominated his rivals, winning a trial by almost nine lengths.
Watch the below clip to listen to Warwick Farm’s Bjorn Baker, trainer of Overpass.
While Classique Legend has not been seen at the races since his fifth, beaten just over two lengths in last year’s Everest behind Nature Strip, the winner of that year’s Everest has recorded three sensation Group 1 victories since, highlighted by his King’s Stand Stakes victory.
Part-owner Rod Lyons told Racing.com that all reports on Nature Strip from trainer Chris Waller were glowing, with a mid-September return in The Shorts (Gr 2, 1100m) at Randwick the most likely option.
“He’s going absolutely terrific and Chris couldn’t be happier with him,” Lyons said. “He’s going to trial on Thursday at Canterbury and then start off in The Shorts and I think trial again and go second-up into The Everest.”
Lyons said Nature Strip had thrived since his return to Australia. “He actually put on weight while on the plane and while in quarantine. His coat hasn’t turned and all reports are that he’s really well and you wouldn’t know he’s been halfway around the world and back,” Lyons said.
“But the proof is in the pudding. He’ll face very stiff opposition in the races in front of him and he’ll have to be at the top of his game.” Lyons added he hoped the winner of more than $18 million in prizemmoney would also defend his VRC Champion Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) victory of last spring, but conceded there were numerous options for the horse. “I think that Chris is open minded,” he said. “Flemington fits in perfectly after The Everest as it's three weeks to the Darley Sprint.”