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The Everest must attain Group 1 status immediately

Love me some Randwick racing. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
Expert
16th October, 2017
26

The Everest was an unparalleled success for Sydney racing, and the race itself must be upgraded to Group 1 status immediately.

What started as a novelty in many eyes quickly became the high point of the spring carnival to date, something that will only be surpassed by Winx’s third Cox Plate and, of course, the Melbourne Cup.

It captured the imagination of the Sydney public, which sporting events seldom do. Television, newspapers, radio, online; non-racing people were talking about it. Attendance was outstanding. Turnover was record-breaking. The commitment from all key stakeholders to spare no expense in promoting the event is to be applauded.

The first edition of The Everest was the perfect race with the perfect field at the perfect time.

If it had been launched in the time of Black Caviar, then it would have been just another race to be won by the great mare, and all other slot holders would be racing for minor, yet still lucrative, prizemoney.

The fact it was such an open betting race only added to the hype. Racing is a punter’s game after all. Every runner had a story, and almost all runners had a legitimate chance of some kind.

With Chautauqua on the wane as Australia’s best sprinter, the challengers were lining up, including half a dozen last start winners and a number of rising stars. Having a few three-year-olds engaged was also critical, and is a must going forward.

Chautauqua - horse racing

(Photo: AAP)

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As it turned out, the two horses most likely to take the mantle of best sprinter in the country ran the quinella. Once Vega Magic couldn’t get into his preferred position from the wide barrier, Redzel was the one to beat. He was too tough, too strong, and too fast.

Vega Magic could well have won if he had drawn a marble and been able to take up his customary forward position. Brave Smash had the Darren Weir fairy dust sprinkled over him to turn his form around and give the ATC a handy return on their slot outlay.

Chautauqua ran a mighty fourth, and we know he has won three TJ Smiths over the Randwick 1200m. It was worth nothing that the three horses that beat him home had never run in any of those TJs. It took fresh blood to take “the Grey Flash” down over his pet course and distance.

The first seven across the line were all very good and got at least a pass mark, and only one horse, Fell Swoop, ran poorly, and he pulled up with excuses. The form out of the racing going forward is going to be exceptional.

The field assembled won’t be surpassed for quality in the sprinting races this season, and this will likely be the case in future years. Not only should the Everest be a Group 1 from 2018, this year’s edition should also be awarded Group 1 status after the fact. Redzel deserves to have an extra Group 1 on his CV.

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