Redzel is on track for back to back wins in The Everest with a classy first up win in the 2018 Group 3 $160,000 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick today.
Redzel, above, is one track for back to back wins in The Everest after scoring a firsst up win in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Redzel won the inaugural running of The Everest last year and has firmed in the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au from $5.50 to $5 for the 2018 $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.
The Everest slot holder Yulong Investments would be feeling happy with themselves after signing up Redzel to run for them in the $13 million Spring Carnival weight for age feature sprint.
Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy had Redzel quickly into stride after jumping cleanly and sat just off the girth of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained speedster Invincible Star.
Invincible Star lead the field into the straight but McEvoy was sitting as a quiet as a mouse on Redzel as the horses went over the rise.
McEvoy remained still until the 150m when he released the brakes and Redzel ($2.30 favourite) cruised past Invincible Star ($2.35) to record a one length victory over the fast finishing Kaepernick ($21) with Invincible Star hanging on for third.
Paul Snowden said that Redzel is not fully wound up today and will follow the same path he took last year and step out in the Group 2 $200,000 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 15 on his way to The Everest.
“At this stage it is. There is no need to change as it suits. It’s a recipe that works well with him,” Paul Snowden said.
“It’s very satisfying knowing what we have got in front of us. Just watching him parade out the back, it was the first time I’ve seen him break a bit of a sweat pre-race because it shows he’s got a bit left in the tank.”
“There is improvement to come, we were confident we had enough to get us by today for the big one in October.”
McEvoy said that he was very pleased that Redzel was able to return in winning form and is looking forward to The Everest.
“It is good to see him back, he has taken all before him and a few people jumped off but he has been pleasing us at home and it’s good to have him back and in winning form,” McEvoy said.
