THE EVEREST

(CONDITIONS RACE)

WHO would have envisaged an orphaned foal out of 20-year-old mare winning the richest turf race in the world. Peter and Paul Snowden did, and so too did the part-owners of Redzel, a group of 17 put together by Triple Crown Syndications that included police officers, school teachers, a doctor, taxi driver, concreter, electrician, pharmacist, a former NSW cricket coach and a security guard.

“I’m just a simple concreter but what a story it would be if a group of everyday people like us can win the richest race on turf. It’s what dreams are made of,” co-owner Abram Savage said prophetically in the lead-up to Saturday. The Snowdens and Redzel’s owners combined with bloodstock agent James Harron, the first to buy a three-year ‘slot’ for the Everest, and the first to get a return.

AMAZING

“It’s been an amazing day, the Everest is an amazing concept and the buzz on track was out of this world. I’m just so thrilled to be involved,” said Harron. “I’ve said all along the Snowdens are the best in the business at setting a horse for a grand final and I think they proved that again today. The horse paraded perfectly, Kerrin (McEvoy) rode him perfectly and it capped off a pretty perfect day.”

Jumping cleanly from the 1,200 metre-start at Randwick, Redzel was quickly forward, handing up the lead to Houtzen. Sitting on that horse’s hip, Redzel picked up well for McEvoy and hit the front with 300 metres to go. The backmarkers came late but McEvoy had timed his run ideally to win by a length from the Team Hayes-trained Lope De Vega gelding Vega Magic, just ahead of Jamie Spencer on the Darren Weir-trained Japanese runner Brave Smash, by Tosen Phantom. Closing fast a further half-length away was Chautauqua, who possibly could have done with a little more give in the ground.

“I can’t talk. I haven’t seen the old man, I don’t even know where he is. It is a massive thing for the stable and just so relieved,” said Paul Snowden straight after the race adding, “It’s our biggest moment as trainers.”

A 2014 Magic Millions yearling buy for $170,000, having sold through the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale for $45,000, Redzel has now won his 10 of his 20 starts with Saturday’s win having a massive influence on this season’s General Sires’ table by catapulting his sire, and last season’s Champion Sire, Snitzel, to a commanding $6.6 million lead in earnings over his Arrowfield barn-mate Not A Single Doubt.

Next up for Redzel is likely the 1,200 metre Darley Classic on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. “It’s just a great time frame for this bloke and it works really well.” said Peter Snowden of the 11th November Group 1.

HUGE CROWD

Sydney had been ablaze with publicity leading up to the Australian Turf Club’s inaugural running of the Everest, right up to conducting the barrier draw at the Sydney Opera house. Touted as the ‘richest turf race in the world’ and modeled on the Pegasus World Cup, the media build was justified as the elements fell into place with great weather and a great field ready to greet the biggest crowd to attend Randwick this century at 33,512.

“The Everest is designed for a new generation of racegoer, the 20-somethings,” extolled Racing New South Wales chief executive Peter V’landys. “Of the 20,000 tickets that were pre-sold for The Everest raceday, 60% were purchased by those under 30 years of age. The race itself is bold, brash, exciting, and it appeals to the younger generation... this sport has got to be innovative, we need to entice younger people to come to the races because there is so much competition for the gambling, entertainment and leisure dollar.”

Having batted away any negativity in the months leading up, V’landys has the high ground now with the Everest meeting setting a new record for NSW TAB betting turnover for a Sydney race meeting of A$28 million. Completing the day, after the last, was a one-hour concert by US recording star Jason Derulo.