Trainer Peter Snowden knows a thing make that two about taking down the Everest, having captured the first inaugural running with Redzel in 2017, then repeating the effort a year later.

Mazu has won 7 of 11 starts, his latest coming in the 14 May Group One Doomben 10,000 — the same event Redzel also took down in 2017.

Peter Snowden sees the likeness of Redzel in Mazu.

“They're similar,” he noted. “Both are very fast horses and have done their work from the front. I just think with Mazu, there's probably a little more upside to him because I think he's going to get further (than the 1,200 meters contested in the Everest). I think seven furlongs or more won't be beyond him.”

Like Redzel, Mazu was gelded. Yet for different reasons.

“Redzel was always kind of laid back,” Snowden said of the two-time Everest winner. “Mazu is really full-on, and that’s why we gelded him. He’s better now, but still not the full package yet. He’s still learning how to do things.”

“That's when they get to a good level, they’re going to tick every box. That means relaxing in races so you can finish better, rather than sort of going out and doing too much too early and running out of gas.”

In his recent starts, Mazu has basically taken what various race shapes have afforded him. He wore down In the Congo in the Gr.2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint. In his Doomben 10,000 victory, he grabbed the lead in the final 200 meters from the three-path, then held off Paulele to his outside. He’s also won up the inside and down the middle of the track.

Snowden notes that Mazu’s ability to be successful from various points of call is rare.

“I’d say it’s a good trait to have,” Snowden said. “Now he’s going to be giving up class as moves up.

“Australian sprinters are very, very good. There are a lot of good ones around.

“The two things in Mazu’s favor are his brilliant speed and that he is still a very young horse. He's just turned four. And I think four or five will be the best time ahead for him. Sprinters don't last long at the top.

“It is very hard to stay competitive at an older age for sprinters, because it's all pure power, and it's very taxing on the horses. But this guy I think, his 4YO or 5YO age  is  going to be his best time at the races.”

Snowden is well aware of the buzz surrounding 2021 Everest champ Nature Strip, who shipped to Royal Ascot and crushed the King’s Stand field in June. He’s expected to be back to defend his Everest championship.

“Yeah, it's a big thing to take a horse that far overseas,” he said, “but it also gives everyone in racing a kick to see Australian horses win. Just to show us just how strong they are. He's a good sprinter as an 8YO, so to my way of thinking? He's been a good horse, but it's gonna be very, very hard for him to keep racing at this top level.”

Jockey Sam Clipperton — who’s guided Mazu to six of his wins — is expected to be up for a potential opportunity in The Everest.

“Sam’s got a pretty good record on the horse and he's come back into work now and Sam has been down most mornings,” Snowden said. “You see how his association is with the horse, so I think we'll be sticking with him for quite a while.”

So, in a hypothetical conversation between Redzel and Mazu, Snowden was asked what advice might a two-time Everest champion offer to an up-and-comer when tackling an established sprinter like Nature Strip.

“I think you'd be giving the right advice to say ‘Put your head down and go as hard as you can. And you'll beat him,’ ” Snowden replied.