Classy sprinter Spieth can entice plenty of interest for The Everest with an eye catching first up performance in the Group 3 $150,000 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Spieth, above, is set to resume in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Spieth, above, is set to resume in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Spieth resumes in what is going to be small field for the Concorde Stakes with only seven horses nominated for the Group 3 sprint but will have tough opposition with the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Doomben 10,000 winner Redzel also a likely runner.

The well performed Brett Cavanaogh trained The Monstar and the speedy Super Too from the Marc Connors stable are also among the nominations.

Trainer Bryce Heys said that while he would love someone to pick up Spieth for a slot in the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14, he was focusing his attention to preparing his stable star for a successful return to the race track in the Concorde Stakes.

“A horse of his profile and the quality that he is it’s only natural there’s some intrigue and interest in how he returns to the races,’’ Heys told Racing New Soutjh Wales News.

“It will be perceived as (an audition) but whether the Everest is there or not I’m focused on getting him back to the races and running well.

“I want to be in it (The Everest). As it stands now he’s not in it. Hopefully we are in a position where we are talking about being in it on Sunday.’’

“The race is such a great addition to the spring. It’s massive and the beauty of it is that participants across the board alike can try to get themselves into a race.’’

“Whether it be the superstar trainer or the rookie trainer, like myself, who is fortunate enough to have a horse that no doubt has a profile to run really well in the race.’’

Spieth is yet to win at Group 1 level but came agonisingly close on two occasions with a nose second to Malaguerra in the $1m Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington during the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival and then was beaten by the same margin when runner up to Terravista in the $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington during the Autumn.

“The 1000m up the straight is different to 1000m around the corner at Randwick. No matter how fast they go those leaders seem to hold on longer than they do over 1100m or 1200m,’’ Heys said.

“I’m under the impression that Marc Conners is going to run his horse (Super Too), she really went fast the other day.

“It’s a race tailor made for a horse like Redzel who can highball and that’s the challenge in front of us in terms of the horses that are there.

“But I’m more focused on Spieth and executing that he runs well. He’s going to drop a strong last 600m, he’s in good order to do it, but it is important not to get locked in to what might happen in the race just get the small things right for the first 400m of the race.

“They’re going to go fast. That’s good, just be wary he’s a little vulnerable but I’m really happy to be taking him to the races.’’

Corey Brown got a feel of Spieth in his 800m barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on August 14 and will partner the Thorn Park stallion during the Spring Carnival, replacing Hugh Bowman who had his three mounts during the Autumn, including his last start tenth to Chautauqua in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 1.

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au can’t split Spieth and Redzel in the early betting for the Concorde Stakes and have them sharing favouritism at $2.30 ahead of the John Thompson trained Nieta at $6.50.

Early market order for the Concorde Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.30 Redzel, Spieth, $6.50 Nieta, $9 Super Too, The Monstar, $13 Felines, $31 Almighty Girl.

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.