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| Sumita Pawar |
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Following Racing NSW's announcement of a suite of prizemoney increases and new feature races, many leading trainers in Australasia have their sights set on the A$35 million Everest Day prize pool and the Spring Carnival. First among those aspirants are Bjorn Baker and Adrian Bott with the former hoping to secure a spot for his leading sprinter Overpass in the TAB Everest, which boasts a prize pool of A$20 million prize pool.
Multiple Group One winner Alligator Blood, trained by Adrian Bott in partnership with Hall of Famer Gai Waterhouse, may be aimed at the first-ever A$5 million King Charles III Stakes, according to Bott.
"We will have to look very closely at those programming changes for the Sydney spring carnival,'' Bott said.
"Almost by default, Gerry (Harvey, owner of Alligator Blood) said to follow the same program as last year but it might be better to keep the horse in Sydney and aim at the new race (King Charles III Stakes).''
Bott also believes that his promising 3YO Hawaii Five-Oh co-owned by Gerry Harvey, John Singleton, and Ray Hadley, has the potential to become a contender for Everest.
Racing Industry Sees Growth Potential
"I was lucky enough to have two runners in The Everest last year and I'm hoping I can get Overpass into the race again,'' he said.
"There is no doubt Overpass is a better horse now than he was when he ran in The Everest last year.''
Baker rejected the notion that Everest's A$20 million prize pool is excessive and argued that the funds could be allocated effectively within the racing industry.
"The Everest has been remarkable how it has captured a whole new audience for racing,'' Baker said.
"Racing needs to stay relevant and everybody knows about Everest, it is going to be bigger and better again
"Everest Day is unparalleled and it is going to be even bigger this year. As a trainer in Sydney racing, I'm just grateful to be involved.
"I came to Sydney (from New Zealand) 12 years ago and it's the best decision I've ever made because what Racing NSW has done with the prizemoney since has been incredible.
"Racing NSW keeps taking the lead with prizemoney and it's so exciting going to the races each Saturday.''
Speaking about Hawaii Five-Oh bott said, “The owners of Hawaii Five Oh are keen to try and get to The Everest, and so are the owners of Red Resistance, who was a very talented two-year-old and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up in the spring,'' Bott said.
"We've also got a horse like Kibou who is probably more a miler so he could be the type of horse to go to the new race and the Golden Eagle.''
Bott said the Sydney spring carnival enhancements can only grow interest in racing.
"Racing NSW's prizemoney increases and programming changes are a vote of confidence in the racing industry,'' Bott said.
"There has been no better time for owners, potential investors and participants to be involved in racing.''