Veteran sprinter Eduardo has firmed in betting for The Everest, after kicking off his campaign with a slashing victory in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The 9-year-old gelding bolted in by 2½ lengths as a $2.70 favourite. Athelric was second, with Handle The Truth a further 1¾ lengths back in third.
“Forget the age, he is an amazing athlete and you saw it again there today,” said trainer Joe Pride, who had no qualms about running Eduardo on a Randwick track rated a Heavy 9.
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“Testing conditions first-up, and he was taking on a bunch of horses who were lauded to be on the way up, but for a horse to beat this horse, they’ve got to be at that grade.
“For up and comers, it’s very hard to get to where him and Nature Strip are.”
Eduardo is now the equal second-elect at $8, alongside the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Mazu, for the $15 million sprint at Randwick next month. Defending champion Nature Strip is a $2.80 favourite.
Jockey Nash Rawiller is confident he has a live Everest chance in Eduardo, who finished third in the race last year.
“He’s going as good as ever. Who knows? He is sort of due for things to fall into place in a big one so maybe this is his year,” Rawiller said.
Channel 7 Racing commentator Lizzie Jelfs. agreed, adding: “He’s certainly one of the major players for The Everest, and he can only improve the deeper he gets into his preparation.”
Already assured of a spot in the world’s richest race on turf in the slot held by Yulong Investments, Eduardo’s next assignment will be The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick in a fortnight.