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| Dane Squance |
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Two leading contenders for this year’s TAB Everest took to the barrier trials on Tuesday at Rosehill, with connections of both runners sure to have walked away from the 900m trial extremely satisfied with the efforts.
Peter and Paul Snowden’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000 winner Mazu, a son of exciting Japanese sire Maurice, was having the first trial this time in off the back of his exciting unbeaten campaign which saw the gelding attract the attention of Arrowfield Stud and The Star Sydney, who secured the Triple Crown Syndications gelding for not only their 2022 Everest slot, but the 2023 running as well.
Jumping away well from the barriers, the 4yo sat handy in fourth position out wide before regular jockey Sam Clipperton asked for an effort where Mazu made up many lengths to finish in second position behind tearaway leader O’President.
“He just gave me his normal feel,” Clipperton told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“I was really pleased with his trial this morning. It was basically exactly what I hoped he would trial like and he has done just that.
“It is early days yet but he is back and it is good to have a sit on him in somewhat competitive conditions."
While slightly out of form last campaign, last year’s Everest second placegetter Masked Crusader (pictured below) barrier trialled in the same heat as Mazu, coming from back in the field in his customary style, finishing less than a length behind Mazu in third.
Set to race in the Everest in the slot of Max Whitby and Neil Werrett, the Gilgai Farm-bred and part raced son of Swettenham Stud’s Toronado was a stunning winner of the Group 1 William Reid Stakes in March last year, and leading into his second in the Everest behind Nature Strip had secure two wins and from his three lead up runs.
Riden in the trial by William Pike, who had ridden the gleding before, the lGroup 1-winning jockey was happy with Masked Crusader's effort.
“It was a nice trial, he’s back to his usual self. He relaxed early and really thundered home to the line,’’ Pike said on Sky Throughbred Central.
With co trainer Paul Snowden indicating that Mazu will trial again in ten days before resuming in the Group 2 Shorts on September 17 at Randwick, a race won in the past two years by Classique Legend (who won that year’s Everest) and then by Eduardo, who defeated eventual Everest winner Nature Strip.