A $1 million bonus will be on the line when Bella Nipotina steps out at Rosehill on Saturday

The Everest winner Bella Nipotina will have her spring swan song on Saturday in the Group 2 Russell Balding Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.

THE Everest winner Bella Nipotina won’t lack for opposition when she attempts a unique big-race double at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Bella Nipotina is due to contest the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) which has attracted 20 entries including Everest rivals I Am Me, Private Eye and Sunshine In Paris.

But Bella Nipotina has been installed as the $2.80 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds to become the first horse to complete The Everest-Russell Balding (formerly Winners) Stakes double.

Since the Rosehill sprint was introduced in 2019, the only The Everest winner to back up was Think About It which ran third to Bella Nipotina and Private Eye last year.

Trainer Ciaron Maher has had Bella Nipotina at his Bong Bong property since The Everest, preparing for what is likely to be her final start for the spring.

“We planned to give her four starts this campaign and from all reports she is doing very well,’’ said Michael Christian, a part-owner of Bella Nipotina.

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“If she runs well on Saturday, then there is no reason to retire her as the breeding season is just about gone.

“There’s the autumn carnival to look forward to and there has been some talk of Royal Ascot.

“The ownership group will sit down with Ciaron after the spring to work our plans for next year but if he said we should go to Royal Ascot then none of the owners will be arguing with him!”

Christian revealed he has never been to Royal Ascot due to his other sporting passion, AFL.

Bella Nipotina (right) ranges up for victory in The Everest

“In winter, I’ve had footy commitments as a player (he was a member of Collingwood’s 1990 premiership team), then had 15 years as a commentator and now I work for the AFL as match review officer,’’ he said.

“But if Bella Nipotina goes to Royal Ascot next year, I will be trying to find a way to get some time off so I can go over to England.’’

Bella Nipotina can also win the Sydney Sprint Series $1 million bonus if she wins on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Giga Kick, the 2022 Everest winner which was just edged out by Bella Nipotina when attempting a second win in the world’s richest turf race, won’t have a return clash with the mare at Rosehill.

Trainer Clayton Douglas said Giga Kick has returned to his Mornington stables and is likely to line up in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington on November 9.

“I thought it would be best to give him three weeks between runs after The Everest than just two,’’ Douglas said.

“He will race at Flemington and then I will give him a break until autumn. After coming back from such a long lay-off, I think four runs will do him for spring.’’

Originally published as A $1 million bonus will be on the line when Bella Nipotina steps out at Rosehill on Saturday