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| Staff Writer |
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Months of meticulous planning and hopeful ambition come down to two races that will take less than 60 seconds each to complete on Saturday, as connections eye coveted slots in next month's US$13.2 million The TAB Everest.
At Royal Randwick and The Valley, some of Australia's finest speedsters are readying themselves for a pair of pivotal Group contests that could make or break their Everest dreams.
Headlining the Group Three US$660,000 Concorde Stakes at Royal Randwick is the much-anticipated return of Giga Kick. The Clayton Douglas-trained gelding, who famously claimed The Everest as a 3YO in 2022, faces a stern test in the 1000-metre dash.
Standing in his path are seasoned campaigners Bella Nipotina and Private Eye, alongside the emerging talent Aft Cabin and last year's Concorde victor Remarque.
Meanwhile, at The Valley, current Everest favourite I Wish I Win kicks off his campaign in the Group One Moir Stakes. One of only two sprinters already boasting an Everest slot, the Peter Moody-trained star must contend with the likes of brilliant mare Estriella and the promising Caballus.
Adding spice to the mix is a trio of top-class three-year-olds: Golden Slipper heroine Lady Of Camelot, runner-up Coleman, and Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi.
Since The Everest's inception in 2017, the Concorde Stakes has proven a reliable launching pad for Everest contenders. Every winner bar one has secured an Everest berth, including the likes of Redzel and Nature Strip, who both completed the Concorde-Everest double.
Previous winners of The Everest have gone on to achieve further success at the highest level. Redzel, triumphant in the inaugural 2017 edition, defended his crown in 2018 before retiring with over US$10 million in prize money. Nature Strip, victorious in 2021, added Royal Ascot glory to his CV with a scintillating King's Stand Stakes win in 2022.
While run slightly earlier this year, the Moir Stakes at The Valley has consistently produced Everest contenders. In 2021, the trifecta of Wild Ruler, The Inferno, and Trekking all progressed from the Moir to The Everest.
As the tension builds, connections are keeping their cards close to their chests. Clayton Douglas, handler of Giga Kick, maintains a cool exterior, stating: "It's situation normal for us."
The day's action isn't limited to established stars. In the Chautauqua Stakes, Ben Hayes is bullish about the chances of his sprinter Arkansaw Kid. "He's a horse Everest slot-holders should be looking at after Saturday," Hayes asserts confidently.
With so much at stake, Saturday's contests promise to be fiercely competitive affairs. For many of these equine athletes, it's a case of now or never in their bid to secure a coveted slot in the world's richest turf race.
As the dust settles on these crucial auditions, the Everest picture will undoubtedly become clearer. But for now, all eyes are on Randwick and The Valley, where dreams will be made or dashed in the blink of an eye.