Brilliant sprinter Redzel bounced back into the winner’s stall with a new Randwick track record in the Group 2 $500,000 Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick today.
Redzel, above, set a new Randwick track record for the 1000m in winning the Challenge Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy was happy to sit off the speed today and let Super Too ($15) set a blistering pace up front before unleashing Redzel in the straight and the Team Snowden trained speedster went on to clock 55.73s and set a new Randwick track record for the 1000m.
The Victorian sprinter Jungle Edge ($81) fought on well over the concluding stages to grab second with Super Too ($15) holding on for third.
Redzel was sent out as the $1.40 favourite and the punters were certain he would find his way back to winner’s stall after suffering his first defeat in seven starts at his last outing when second to Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 17.
Peter and Paul Snowden will now set Redzel for the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 7 over the same course and distance as $10m The Everest that he won in the Spring.
McEvoy has established a great association with Redzel and has been on the five year old’s back for five of his last six starts.
“He is a gem to ride and I love being on his back,” McEvoy said.
Redzel is now the $3 favourite for the T J Smith Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au, well ahead of his nearest rival Vega Magic at $11 with Chautauqua, In Her Time and Merchant Navy all listed at $11.
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