Laing hoping Lord Of The Sky can grab a slot in The Everest

Trainer Robbie Laing is hoping that his veteran sprinter Lord Of The Sky can grab a slot in the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.

Lord Of The Sky, black, white and red colours, and Chautauqua, purple and yellow, fight out the finish of the 2015 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Lord Of The Sky, black, white and red colours, and Chautauqua, purple and yellow, fight out the finish of the 2015 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Group 1 performer Lord Of The Sky’s failed to secure a stud career and Laing said that if he returned to the race track at his best, there was a possibility that he could find a slot in the inaugural running of The Everest.

The rising seven year old stallion has performed well at Group 1 level without a win but was only beaten a nose by The Everest favourite Chautauqua in the 2015 Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and then headed to Morphettville in Adelaide where he was in the Group 1 runner’s up stall again when second to Flamberge in the $500,000 Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

“He’s finished second to Chautauqua, the favourite for the race, at the track and distance, and he’s also finished alongside him in a Newmarket,” Laing told the Herald Sun.

Laing will kick off Lord Of The Sky’s campaign with a fourth tilt at the Group 3 $150,000 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 15 before progressing on to the Group 3 $150,000 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield a fortnight later.

Lord Of The Sky has raced in the last three runnings of the Sir John Monash Stakes and claimed the winning trophy in 2014 but was unplaced in 2015 and 2016 with a seventh and a fourth and was also the winner of last year’s Bletchingly Stakes.

Laing was happy to give Lord Of The Sky another campaign after several opportunities as a future stallion prospect fell through with Harry Mitchell at Yarrraman Park Stud almost securing his services.

“It was nearly over the line. Harry loved the horse, but in the finish he didn’t think his dam line was deep enough,’’ Laing said.

“There were a couple of small studs happy to stand him for the owners, but they decided they wanted to race him again.

“There’s horses coming out here from England with Group 2 form going to stud and he’s got Group 1 Australian sprint form. I don’t get it.”

Laing said that the Danerich stallion has recovered from a tendon injury and was ready to barrier trial at Cranbourne next week.

“He’s done a lot of work. His tendon has been scanned and it’s strong,” Laing said.

Lord Of The Sky is a six times winner from twenty-five starts and has earned just over $1 million in prizemoney.

Early market order for the 2017 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Chautauqua, $6 Caravaggio, $8 She Will ReignWinx, $11 Lady Aurelia, $13  Russian Revolution, English, $15 Houtzen, Spieth, Vega Magic, $21 Fell Swoop, $26 Acapulco, Black Heart Bart, Lankan Rupee, Limato, Mecca’s Angel, Redzel, Terravista, $34 or better the rest.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.