Godolphin claims Everest slot

Global thoroughbred power Godolphin has made an early commitment to a slot for The Everest in its bid to win Australia’s richest race and the world’s highest-rating sprint.

In securing the vacant slot, Godolphin Australia General Manager Vin Cox said the early announcement reflected the confidence the group has in the concept.

“The Everest has captured a new audience for Australian racing and Godolphin supports the direction Racing New South Wales has taken in creating a race that has opened new frontiers and challenged conventional thinking.

“We support the direction The Everest has taken, which is one that aligns with Godolphin’s quest for excellence.

“Announcing our intention to take a slot now for the race to be run in October also highlights the confidence we have in the people and the horses that make up our racing team.”

Godolphin has successfully negotiated a deal with Racing New South Wales to take up the vacant The Everest slot of Damion Flower, who remains in prison awaiting trial on charges of importing drugs.

First run in 2017 as Australia’s richest race, The Everest immediately became the highest-rating sprint race in the world, maintaining that position each year since. In 2020 the race will carry prizemoney of $14 million.

The commitment to The Everest in 2020 follows placings by Godolphin runners in the past two years.

“The Everest is showcasing the best sprinters in Australia and we have shown we can compete in this space,” Cox said.

In 2018, Godolphin’s Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}) came down the outside fence to finish third and last year Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) finished in the same position, after earning a place in the race by winning the G2 Schillaci S. at Caulfield a week earlier, with Alizee (Sepoy) finishing seventh.

Cox said Godolphin’s was blessed with an array of possible Everest contenders.

“There’s plenty of water to flow under the bridge before we make selections, but the stable has several possible contenders from Bivouac, to Pinatubo, to last year’s third placegetter Trekking.”

European champion 2-year-old Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) is unbeaten in six appearances for Charlie Appleby, including Group 1 victories in Dewhurst S. and the National S.

Winner of last season’s G1 Golden Rose S., Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) will take on the older horses in Saturday’s G1 Neds Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in his first appearance since he finished runner-up in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in the spring.