Ciaron Maher's unbeaten colt Jukebox has emerged as a smoky to score an Everest start with the Victorian trainer revealing he had fielded calls from slot holders.
On a weekend when Everest candidates push their claims in races in Sydney and Melbourne, the three-year-old son of Snitzel will be looking for make it four from four when he contests the Group II Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Six of the 12 Everest slots appear to be locked in for the rich weight-for-age race which will see 12 sprinters compete for $10million in prizemoney at Randwick on October 14.
Maher said that Jukebox's main spring goal remained the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 4.
But he indicated there had been interest from Everest slot holders and he did not rule out a surprise mission to climb the mountain.
If he blows away some talented sprint rivals in the Danehill, the Everest interest will only intensify.
"A couple of people with an interest in the Everest have rung me and asked me what my plans are with Jukebox," Maher said.
"The most likely plan is still to head towards the Coolmore.
"But if he happens to come out and win by a margin in the Danehill there would be increased Everest interest and we would have to work things out from there.
"All the older sprinters appear to be locked into the Everest and a lot of the interest at the moment is about three-year-olds who get in well at the weights."
Jukebox, who resumed with a narrow win in the Group II Vain Stakes last month, is $5 with CrownBet to continue his winning ways in Saturday's Danehill Stakes.
Maher is confident about his chances but has high respect for unbeaten Godolphin sprinter Esperance ($4.40) and Group I-winning filly Catchy ($4 fav).
"Jukebox has definitely improved from his first-up win and he has cleaned up really nicely," Maher said.
"He is a horse of great ability.
"I do know though this is a quality field and going down the straight track is a bit of an unknown for us."
Bookies are split as to Jukebox's Everest potential, with prices on the colt currently ranging from $17 to $51 in markets for The Everest.
