The Everest 2019: Peter Snowden confident Redzel will give good account of himself in huge sprint
Can the old boy do it? Peter Snowden certainly hopes so as Redzel attempts to win The Everest for third occasion at his third attempt, but the trainer admits an inside gate will definitely help.
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Peter Snowden reeled off the reasons Redzel is ready to aim up again in the $14 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“Redzel is moving freely, his action is great and his coat is fantastic,’’ Snowden said. “This seems to be the time of year when he really peaks.’’
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Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said Redzel is as good as he they can get him for his attempt at The Everest.
Redzel can take his career earnings to an extraordinary $21.74 million if he win the world’s richest turf race for the third successive year.
“He’s the only horse that has been in The Everest three times and we feel very privileged to have a horse good enough to run in this race,’’ Snowden told Sky Racing’s Richard Haynes.
“Both his wins have been with authority and all we can do is have him in as good as form as we can for the race.
“The opposition they are there for a reason. They are hand-picked and everyone of these horses are in their best form. You have to respect every horse in the race.’’
Redzel drew barrier four when he won the inaugural Everest and then came out of gate one last year.
Snowden admitted an inside gate is definitely an advantage for Redzel and is hoping the gelding is drawn to start from a barrier between one and five at tonight’s The Everest barrier draw.
Redzel started at $8.50 in both his Everest wins and is likely to be at similar odds for Saturday.
TAB Fixed Odds has Redzel at $9 in early Everest betting behind Santa Ana Lane ($4.60 favourite), Pierata ($5) and Arcadia Queen ($6).
“Redzel is such a popular horse with punters, he’s a real fan favourite, and has been a losing result for (TAB) in this race the last two years,’’ TAB’s Gerard Middleton said.
“We expect solid support for him again, particularly if he draws a good barrier.
“There is not much between the holds of the top four in betting with slightly more on Santa Ana Lane but the barrier draw (tonight) is crucial.
“This year’s Everest seems to have a lot more early speed with the likes of Redzel, Nature Strip, Sunlight, Yes Yes Yes and even Ten Sovereigns.
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“If the speed horses draw wide, they won’t want to be three-deep without cover of they could be ‘cooked’ by the home turn.’’
Middleton said The Everest has changed the betting habits of punters during the spring carnival.
“We are holding more in futures markets on The Everest than the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate,’’ Middleton said.
“In the past, it was all about the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate but The Everest has certainly captured the interest of punters even though this is only the third year of the race.’’