Dane Squance |
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy declared the $15m The TAB Everest should be given Group 1 status as he chases a record fourth win in the world's richest turf race on Shades Of Rose at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
McEvoy, who has won The Everest on Redzel (2017-18) and Classique Legend (2020), said the feature Randwick sprint has quickly established itself as one of the major events in Australian racing.
"It is amazing the stature The Everest has reached given it has only been going for a few years,'' McEvoy said.
"This race should be a Group 1, I feel, as the Group 1 sprinters line up in the race.
"No doubt that is something that will take place in coming years.''
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys declared it is a "farce" that The Everest has not been afforded Group 1 status.
"This is the best sprint race in the world, there is no higher rating sprint,'' V'landys said.
"For me, it doesn't matter if it is a Group 1 or Group 22, but the owners and breeders would like to see it as a Group 1, and it is a Group 1.
"It is embarrassing that sprint races are run at Group 1 level in this country and are nowhere near the level of The Everest. It makes a farce of Australian racing this race is not a Group 1.''
Mick Price, trainer of crack colt Jacquinot, one of the leading chances in The Everest, is also among a growing chorus of racing industry participants pushing for the race to be afforded due recognition by the Pattern Committee.
Price said The Everest fits the criteria of a Group 1 race in everything but name only.
"This (The Everest) should be a Group 1 race,'' Price said.
"It is a Group 1 already, it just hasn't got the status.''
McEvoy has had a celebrated career in the saddle both in Australia and Europe, riding more than 2000 winners with 81 at Group 1 level.
His major wins include three Melbourne Cups, a Caulfield Cup and the Golden Slipper but his three The Everests also sit neatly in that equation.
The TAB fixed odds price assessors don't think McEvoy can add to his Everest record with the Bjorn Baker-trained Shades Of Rose the rank outsider of the field at $71.
But McEvoy, who is riding Shades Of Rose under race conditions for the first time on Saturday, believes the mare could be The Everest "surprise packet".
Shades Of Rose is attempting to become the first mare to win or even place in The Everest but McEvoy is impressed with her race record of seven wins (and a second) from nine starts including her Group 2 Sheraco Stakes win.
"Shades Of Rose has built up a nice record, going through the grades to win a Group 2 last start,'' McEvoy said.
"She is a fast mare and seemed in really good shape when I trialled her the other day. She has had a freshen up since that Group 2 win and is in great order.
"Definitely, she has to go to a new level on Saturday with the likes of Nature Strip and co in the race but she is a winner as her record suggests.''
Shades Of Rose has drawn barrier eight with McEvoy quietly confident the mare can run a very competitive race.
"I think she can go there and run a bold race,'' McEvoy said.
"You never know your luck in the big city when it comes to horse racing, anything can happen when the barriers open. She doesn't mind some cut in the ground, either, and we will get that on Saturday.''
McEvoy has a great group of rides at The Everest meeting including Forbidden Love in the $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m), Commando Hunt in the $2m The Kosciuszko (1200m), Kiss Sum in the $1m Silver Eagle (1300m) and Chalk Stream, owned by His Majesty King Charles III, in the $500,000 ATC St Leger (2600m).
"This is a big day to be a part of,'' McEvoy said.
"Every jockey getting 'suited and booted' and hopping in the car to go to the races on Saturday will get the tingles of excitement - you just want to get there and get stuck into the racing.''
Copy: Ray Thomas