This
time last year Snitzel colt Menari was hyped as potentially the most promising
three year-old sprinter in the country, but after finishing his three year-old season
without a Group I win and undergoing a wind operation he is now back on track
with a slot in the $13 million The Everest confirmed.
The Gerald Ryan trained colt will run in the world's richest turf sprint for slot-holders
Max Whitby and Neil Werrett and join his stable-mate Trapeze Artist, who
defeated Menari at his last racetrack outing when third in the Group I ATC Golden
Rose last spring.
"Neil and I really believe in Menari, we have been wanting to get this horse
for the Everest for a few weeks now,'' Max Whitby told The Daily Telegraph.
"Menari's a high class colt by Snitzel, he's about to turn four years of age
and we feel the best is yet to come from him.
"We have a lot of faith in his trainer, Gerald Ryan, and George Altomonte is
understandably very proud of this horse and we are relieved to have secured him
for our Everest slot.''
Neither Menari or Trapeze Artist are signed up for stud duties and are two of
the most highly desirable stallion prospects in the land.
As a triple Group I winner, Bert Vieira's Trapeze Artist has little to prove,
while Menari has it all ahead of him this season in his quest to win a Group I.
The Everest may not have Group I status yet, but a win for either colt would be
a massive selling point on their resume.