Redzel too strong in taking $10 Million The Everest
HISTORY was made as Triple Crown Syndication’s Redzel stormed clear to take the first running of the $10 Million The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The result was a victory for the ‘everyday Australian’ and the accessibility to racehorse ownership that syndication provides as Redzel’s 17 owners made up of a concreter, teacher, police officers, taxi driver, doctor and security guard walked away with the $5.8 Million winning prize – the world’s richest race on turf.
Primed to the minute by ‘grand-final’ trainers Peter & Paul Snowden, Redzel was too tough for his 11 rivals that featured the very best sprinters in the country, to win by a convincing three quarters of a length to the fast-finishing Vega Magic.
What a win!!! Redzel sits outside the leader and bursts away to win the $10 million TAB Everest. What a race! @racing_nsw #TheEverest pic.twitter.com/GtGrMiRu9y
— TAB (@tabcomau) October 14, 2017
Redzel, who became Triple Crown’s third individual Group 1 winner when taking the Doomben 10,000 in May, jumped smartly and settled outside the leader Houtzen who pressed on from barrier 1. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Redzel under a good hold entering the straight and after taking it up with 300m to go the five-year-old skipped clear to claim victory in style.
“This is the best by far,” said an emotional Peter Snowden said after the race. “Our first Golden Slipper was exceptional; I didn’t think I’d ever get that feeling again but today is well past it.
“What a great result. The owners are a terrific bunch of guys. There’s a lot of stories behind all the owners and it’s fantastic to train a winner on such a massive stage them. It really means everything.”
$5.8 million to the owners!! Greg Radley chats with Chris and Michael Ward of @TripleCrownSynd after Redzel's win in the #TheEverest. pic.twitter.com/3fm5J62J35
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 14, 2017
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy was the man for the big occasion as he delivered a perfect ride on the son of Snitzel.
“What a race to win, it is so exciting,” said McEvoy. “It’s such a thrill to be a part of it; a huge buzz. The Everest is already a huge success and I am thrilled to win the first running of it.
"It's right up there with the Melbourne Cup win"@KPMcEvoy puts his #TheEverest on Redzel on a par with winning the big one#7racing pic.twitter.com/CV9iGkIast
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 14, 2017
“It couldn’t have worked out better in the run. We had a dream passage outside the leader and I’m over the moon.
“He is a little star. I’m so privileged to be riding these horses for Peter and Paul Snowden. They are master horsemen and have done a fantastic job with this horse.’
Snowden confirmed in the aftermath of the race that Redzel will stay in the stable and have a tilt at the Darley Classic at Flemington on November 11.
“He races well with four weeks between runs. I’ve said it before I think he’s almost unbeatable in that situation.
“He’ll head for the Darley Classic at Flemington next which gives him just that.”