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| Staff Writer |
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The final piece of the Everest puzzle has been put in place with Yulong Investments naming exciting colt Growing Empire as its slot contender for the US$15.8 million sprint at Randwick. His inclusion gives trainer Ciaron Maher three of the 12 runners, with the three-year-old joining stablemates Bella Nipotina and I Am Me in the elite field.
This year will be the first time Maher has saddled up an Everest runner, and he looks to have a strong chance of making an immediate impact with his formidable trio.
Yulong confirmed Growing Empire as its representative on Tuesday with General Manager Vin Cox citing his brave second to battle-hardened stablemate Southport Tycoon in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) as the impetus for their decision.
"Growing Empire is a hugely exciting colt for Mr Zhang and the whole Yulong team, he's extremely talented with a blistering turn of foot," Cox said.
"On his last start, he showed us he is a true Group One competitor.
"Three-year-olds have an outstanding record in The Everest and Growing Empire has every chance to build on that success."
A son of Zoustar, Growing Empire has had six starts for four wins and while he has never raced in Sydney, he brings extensive barrier trial experience in the clockwise direction.
He joins a quartet of three-year-olds in this year's Everest, alongside Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot, Godolphin's Traffic Warden and Coolmore's Storm Boy. The younger brigade are striving to join Yes Yes Yes (2019) and Giga Kick (2022) as members of their age group to upstage the seasoned sprinters.
Previous Everest winners have gone on to achieve further success at the highest level, with inaugural victor Redzel claiming multiple Group One sprints and Classique Legend adding the Group One Hong Kong Sprint to his resume.
Three-time Everest-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, successful aboard Redzel (2017-18) and Classique Legend (2020), has been secured for the ride on Growing Empire as he hunts a record-extending fourth victory in the world's richest turf race.
The 2024 The Everest Field:
• I Wish I Win (Trackside Media)
• Stefi Magnetica (Newgate and GPI Racing)
• Joliestar (Chris Waller Racing)
• Giga Kick (Slot leased by owner Jonathan Munz)
• I Am Me (The Star and Arrowfield)
• Sunshine In Paris (John Camilleri)
• Lady Of Camelot (Slot leased by owner Sir Owen Glenn)
• Private Eye (Max Whitby, Col Madden and Neil Werrett)
• Bella Nipotina (TAB)
• Storm Boy (Coolmore)
• Growing Empire (Yulong Investments)
• Traffic Warden (Godolphin)