Bret Cavanough hopes The Virginian can get a Everest slot
Brett Cavanough has put himself, and The Virginian, in the conversation for The Everest and the Scone trainer hopes a slot-holder takes notice.
Cavanough has an eye on October’s inaugural $10 million highlight of the Sydney spring carnival at Randwick.
In the latest meeting at Randwick on August 19, Cavanough watched as The Virginian staked his claim for consideration when a close second to Deploy in the Group Three Show County Quality (1200m), the same distance as The Everest.
It was the five-year-old’s first run for Cavanough since he was transferred from Queensland trainer Toby Edmonds.
He ran Deploy to a half neck with the winner setting a a track record 1:08.06.
“All these blokes are crying ‘Everest. Every horse that wins they’re saying ‘Everest, Everest’,” Cavanough said.
“Our horse got beat in a track record after a sustained run from the 1000 to the 200 breaking 11s and there’s no mention of Everest.
“The horse has run a track record at Randwick, six furlongs. Is that where The Everest is? Hello? Is anyone out there?”
The Virginian should have another opportunity to press his claims at Randwick on Saturday, albeit over a longer distance, when he runs in the Group Two Tramway Stakes (1400m).
Cavanough admitted a potential run in The Everest was up to owner Stuart Ramsay but The Virginian should be in calculations for another Group One start following his third in last year’s Stradbroke Handicap.
“I couldn’t see why a horse that runs around a track record probably wouldn’t be in the mix for someone with one of those six slots that’s not filled,” Cavanough said.
“I’m sitting back there smoking my pipe and just waiting for everything to unfold.”
Cavanough also has The Monstar nominated for the Group Three Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick.
“He’s not a real big fella and he’s got to carry too much weight in the lower grades. He’s got to go to the Group Threes and Twos,” Cavanough said.
