LAST YEAR'S inaugural Everest Champion, Redzel, has assumed favouritism to repeat the feat of winning the world's richest race on turf on October 13 at Royal Randwick.
Australia's highest earning horse last season, Redzel was dominant in winning the Group 3 Concorde Stakes on his return this spring, and that impressive display combined with a defeat for TJ Smith winner Trapeze Artist saw Redzel elevated to the head of the market at a $5 chance.
Trapeze Artist is on the second line of betting at $6, last year's runner-up Vega Magic at $7, while Nature Strip – the latest horse to earn a slot in the race – is a $9 chance and it's $11 bar.
Many Everest contenders have stepped out in the last fortnight, with just Redzel and Nature Strip winning their respective races, while Vega Magic, Shoals, Santa Ana Lane, Brave Smash, Invincible Star and Trapeze Artist all suffered defeats.Redzel will next race on September 15 in the Group 2 The Shorts, a race he won in track record time 12 months ago before going on to win The Everest, and he'll likely meet Everest rivals English, Invincible Star and Brave Smash in what will be an intriguing race before the $13 million showpiece on October 13.
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