Lead trainer David Hayes has described slot-holders as queuing up to have the stable’s Memsie Stakes winner Vega Magic race for them in The Everest 2017 field next month.
Vega Magic is an early favourite in 2017 The Everest betting after winning the Memsie Stakes in Melbourne. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
There are no guarantees that the dual Group 1 winning Lope De Vega gelding will be the one to line-up for The Star with whom the Hayes-led Lindsay Park stable have a relationship with.
Vega Magic may be the favourite to represent the Sydney casino in the $10 million The Everest (1200m) race on October 14 when the Restricted race takes place for the first time at Royal Randwick, but Hayes said the door was still open for stablemate Redkirk Warrior.
Winner of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the famous Flemington straight during the autumn in an upset as a $31 outsider, Hong Kong import Redkirk Warrior returns to racing this weekend.
Last seen finishing two lengths back fifth to Tivaci in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 15, the Notnowcato six-year-old is back at Flemington on Saturday in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).
After winning the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last time out, five-year-old Vega Magic is unlikely to have any problems finding new connections for a run in The Everest field should Redkirk Warrior fill the slot for The Star.
“There’s people queued up wanting him,” Hayes told the media this week.
“There’ll be a decision made after the Bobbie Lewis which horse runs for who.”
Pre-field Bobbie Lewis Quality betting for the Makybe Diva Stakes Day support act on Saturday through Ladbrokes.com.au currently lists Redkirk Warrior as the clear $2.60 favourite.
“He’s had a preparation to run very well in his return run,” Hayes said.
He is set to face the likes of returning Perth star Scales Of Justice and the Darren Weir-trained The Heath 1100 winner from a fortnight ago Voodoo Lad.
In The Everest odds, Vega Magic sits as the $5 co-favourite with the Hawkes Racing-trained Chautauqua.
Chautauqua has been nominated for Melbourne’s Bobbie Lewis Quality, but is set to resume racing in Sydney on Saturday as the odds-on favourite in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick where Winx also has her latest run in the 2017 George Main Stakes.
Redkirk Warrior meanwhile is quoted at $13 in The Everest betting, a price sure to firm should he salute for the punters on the weekend.
To back your early The Everest 2017 tips and to access this weekend’s top racing odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.