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| Sumita Pawar |
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Another unbeaten Victorian sprinter could take home the Everest crown this year.
Giga Kick, a speedster trained by Mornington, emerged victorious in The Everest last October, maintaining his unbeaten record in just his fifth race.
In his next race, Giga Kick suffered his first defeat when he encountered bad luck in the Gr.1 VRC Classic. However, he bounced back and returned to his winning form in the Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000 during the spring season.
There is a possibility that What You Need, who is currently undefeated, could find himself in a similar situation when he competes in the A$20m The Everest at Randwick on October 14.
What You Need: Autumn's Sprinting Sensation
In the autumn, What You Need showcased his sprinting talent by easily winning twice at the Flemington 'Straight Six' course, including a Listed race on March 25.
The ownership group of the rising 4YO, What You Need, has been asked by slot holders if The Everest could be included in his spring plans due to his easy wins.
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, co-trainers, have been busy preparing What You Need for a potential return to racing. It is possible that he will compete in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes at The Valley on September 9.
"From memory he's trialling on Monday the 14th and then 21st and then he'll kick off in the McEwen (and then) race down the straight in the Bobbie Lewis," Price said.
Price stated that jockey Ben Melham, who has ridden What You Need in all three of his wins, was confident that the lightly-raced speedster would have no problem with The Valley circuit.
"He's such a good Straight Six horse and I spoke to Melham about whether he'll handle Moonee Valley and he reckons he'll handle it no worries," Price said.
"He's a good beginner, he'll be there and (I'm) also a bit conscious of there's been a bit of interest in him for The Everest, so I'm making The Everest run number three, so two trials and two runs in."
Price mentioned that connections of What You Need had the option to test their horse's abilities by participating in the Gr.2 Premier Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30.
"One way is the McEwen and Premiere which they'll all use that into The Everest," Price said.
"And the other way is the Bobbie Lewis into the Premiere, the Premiere will be the fork in the road."