The Everest winner Redzel is likely to have his next start in the Darley Classic at Flemington when he returns to Group One racing.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden for Triple Crown Syndications, Redzel earned his large group of owners and slot holder James Harron $5.8 million for his win at Randwick on Saturday.
The brainchild of Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys, the concept was embraced by owners, trainers and the Australian Turf Club which hosted its biggest crowd at Randwick this century.
With $10 million prize money, the 1200m-sprint was restricted to 12 horses whose places in the field had been bought by slot holders.
Harron said once it became obvious he and his partners would not have a colt of their own to run, Redzel was the logical choice given their association with the Snowden stable.
More than 33,000 people packed Randwick to see Redzel beat Vega Magic and Brave Smash, the horse who raced for the ATC.
“The Everest has captured the imagination of the racing world like no other sporting event in Sydney,” V’landys said.
“The Championships is now firmly established in the autumn and has been highly successful, but The Everest has gone to another level attracting world attention in a matter of months.
“Board members of both Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club should be congratulated for embracing the concept and driving it with great enthusiasm.”
Peter Snowden said Redzel had matured and he and Paul believed they had the key to him.
“He races well with four weeks between runs so that’s what we will do,” he said.
“He won’t go to the Manikato Stakes but head to the Darley Classic at Flemington which gives him the four weeks.”
It also means they won’t have to find a new riders for Redzel with his Everest jockey Kerrin McEvoy suspended for an incident in an earlier race at Randwick.
He will miss the Manikato Stakes on Friday week as will Corey Brown unless he decides to appeal a similar suspension.
McEvoy made the trip to Victoria on Sunday to ride Godolphin’s Folkswood to win the Listed Cranbourne Cup.
Chautauqua, who finished fourth in the Everest, is also likely to miss the Manikato in favour of the Darley.