Godolphin trainer James Cummings believes that Trekking could cause a big upset in The Everest (1200m) on Saturday, with their ‘second choice’ runner having a more suitable build up than last year.
Trekking finished third in the 2019 The Everest, after winning his way in by taking out the Melbourne Racing Club’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, and earning the right to represent the MRC in the rich sprint a week later.
Rather than having to prove himself and win the Schillaci Stakes to qualify and rush up to Sydney a week later, Cummings believes this year’s lead-in is much to Trekking’s advantage, after a huge first up performance in the Moir Stakes (1000m).
Watch: Trekking hit the line hard first up in the Moir Stakes.
She's a beauty!
Pippie becomes a dual Group 1 winner, taking out the Moir Stakes.@Meagher_Racing @LaneDamian @TheValley pic.twitter.com/47dQXrwNQU
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 25, 2020
“Last year was interesting because we had to make everyone believe he was a good enough horse to be taking his position,’’ Cummings said.
“You’ll notice this year we have the horse second-up having raced in the Moir first-up and he didn’t need to go through that pressure of winning a Schillaci and hopping on a float and coming here to race seven days later.
“Maybe that might make a difference. While he screamed home with the other placegetters to run third, this year he’s a bit more mature and with that little bit more zest in his legs he might be the horse that it takes to knock off his stablemate.”
Watch: Trekking flash home for third in last year’s The Everest.
Yes Yes Yes wins the $14m Tab Everest at @royalrandwick for @boss_glen and @cwallerracing! pic.twitter.com/gSmSRDiVdU
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2019
“He’s been the improving horse, he’s a trier, he’s well travelled. He’s toughened up each season, he’s gotten better and better,” Cummings said.
Cummings was confident that both Trekking and Bivouac were well-prepared, and are ready to run well.
“The staff have really done a tremendous job with them and the preparations of both horses have gone ahead without any hitches,’’ he said.
“The horses look lovely and relaxed, they came off the gallops fit and both horses now second-up into the race look ready to go.”
Bivouac is a $14 chance for The Everest, with Trekking at $16.
| Horse | Win | Place | ||
| 1 | Nature Strip (1)J: James Mcdonald 58.5kg T: C J Waller | $6.00 | $2.25 | Bet Now |
| 2 | Trekking (2)J: Joshua Parr 58.5kg T: James Cummings | $16.00 | $4.40 | Bet Now |
| 3 | Classique Legend (3)J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58.5kg T: L J Bridge | $4.50 | $1.85 | Bet Now |
| 4 | Santa Ana Lane (4)J: Sam Clipperton 58.5kg T: A & S Freedman | $21.00 | $5.00 | Bet Now |
| 5 | Behemoth (5)J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg T: D R Jolly | $14.00 | $3.90 | Bet Now |
| 6 | Bivouac (6)J: Glen Boss 58.5kg T: James Cummings | $14.00 | $3.90 | Bet Now |
| 7 | Gytrash (7)J: Jason Collett 58.5kg T: G V Richards | $5.50 | $2.15 | Bet Now |
| 8 | Eduardo (8)J: Ms Rachel King 58.5kg T: Joseph Pride | $19.00 | $5.00 | Bet Now |
| 9 | Dollar For Dollar (9)J: Tim Clark 58.5kg T: T & C Mcevoy | $61.00 | $12.00 | Bet Now |
| 10 | Tofane (10)J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg T: M D Moroney | $16.00 | $4.40 | Bet Now |
| 11 | Libertini (11)J: Regan Bayliss 56.5kg T: A J Cummings | $5.50 | $2.15 | Bet Now |
| 12 | Haut Brion Her (12)J: Brenton Avdulla 56.5kg T: C J Waller | $26.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
| 13 | Deprive (13)J: Unknown 58.5kg T: James Cummings | $71.00 | $16.00 | Bet Now |
| 14 | Special Reward (14)J: Unknown 58.5kg T: K A Lees | $201.00 | $31.00 | Bet Now |
| 15 | Tactical Advantage (15)J: Unknown 58.5kg T: K A Lees | $401.00 | $61.00 | Bet Now |
| 16 | Standout (16)J: Unknown 58.5kg T: G Ryan & S Alexiou | $126.00 | $26.00 | Bet Now |
