Global giant Godolphin have secured the final slot for the 2019 $14m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19.
Osborne Bulls, above, is the likely runner in Goldolphin’s slot for the 2019 The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The slot went to tender after it’s owner Damion Flower found himself in jail in relation to charges surrounding the alleged importation of drugs into Australia which forced the Australian Turf Club to open the slot up to the tender process.
“Ultimately, the Slot available through the tender process has been granted to Godolphin. Godolphin is the world’s largest and most successful owner of thoroughbred horses and its support and promotion of thoroughbred racing in Australia and internationally is unrivalled,” Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys AM said on the Racing NSW News Desk.
“We would like to thank all of the parties that lodged a tender. There were many parties interested in the 2019 Everest Slot. The tenders lodged were very strong and extremely competitive both in terms of price and the benefit that the tenderers could add to The Everest.”
“The Board was very impressed with Godolphin’s proposal and the benefits it will bring to both The Everest and Australian racing.”
The Godolphin owned Group 1 performer Osborne Bulls finished third behind Redzel in the 2018 The Everest in the Australian Turf Club’s slot, and the James Cummings trained sprinter looks the number one contender for the newly acquired slot.
The Australian Turf Club have also welcomed a new partnership with the Melbourne Racing Club who will share in their slot for the 2019 The Everest after being in the tender process for the vacated Damion Flower’s Jadeskye Racing’s slot.
“We are pleased to provide the Melbourne Racing Club the opportunity to be part of The Everest for 2019,” Australian Turf Club Chairman Matt McGrath said.
“As host of the event and also a Slot holder, we are always open to consider providing great partners with the opportunity to assume our Slot.
“The Australian Turf Club welcomes the partnership for 2019 with the Melbourne Race Club through their Chairman Peter Le Grand and CEO Josh Blanksby.
“Australian racing will benefit greatly with a super raceday featuring The Everest at Royal Randwick and the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield Racecourse and we look forward to forging a stronger relationship beyond 2019 with the Melbourne Racing Club.”
The Melbourne Racing Club will host the Group 1 $5.15m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on the same day as The Everest.
The Peter And Paul Snowden trained Redzel has been the winner of the first two runnings of The Everest in 2017 and 2018 and will run in the slot owned by Yulong Investments in 2019.
Other slots for the 2019 The Everest that have been allocated are The Star – Arcadia Queen, Max Whitby – Sunlight, TAB – Santa Ana Lane, Aquis – Pierata, Bon Ho & Carmel Size Racing – Classique Legend and Inglis – In Her Time.
Early betting for the 2019 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5.50 Santa Ana Lane, $7 Osborne Bulls, $8 Arcadia Queen, Pierata, $9 Sunlight, $10 Classique Legend, $11 Redzel, $12 Nature Strip, $13 Alizee, In Her Time, $15 Brutal, Ten Sovereigns, $17 Graff, $21 Enticing Star, Hot King Prawn, Zoustyle, $26 Advertise, The Bostonian, $34 or better the rest.
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