Star sprinter Joliestar being saved for the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) has helped set up an enhanced ‘mini-Everest’ at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Joliestar, last week announced as the runner for Chris Waller slot in The Everest, will now go head-to-head first-up with fellow slot-holders Briasa and Private Harry.
The Everest hopeful Headwall, potential contender Jedibeel and Golden Slipper winner Marhoona will add further weight to the feature field, with nominations set to be revealed on Monday morning.
Joliestar was due to make her return in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday before being scratched on race morning.
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“She had an awkward draw with the rail out so we just wondered where we would end up,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.
“We will go next week and it maps a little bit better into The Everest.
“It’s going to be a very, very hot race and that’s why they put up $1 million for it because it’s been a big draw card for all the major players to end up there for a $1 million rather than $300,000 (in the Sheraco).”
Jedibeel will get the chance to stake his claim for the slot held by his owner Mulberry Racing.
Trainer Brad Widdup brought the gelding to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday for an exhibition gallop on Saturday in preparation for his return.
Jedibeel had been in line to make his return in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) earlier this month however he suffered a minor setback in the lead-up.
Jedibeel works between races at Rosehill Gardens as he prepares to hit the races next week@BWiddupRacingpic.twitter.com/ZchlL1WHUW
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Widdup acknowledges Jedibeel is now faced with a “very hard race” fresh from a spell.
“That is why it was very frustrating not to be able to run him last week,” Widdup said.
“Not saying he would have won that race, but he drew well, looked a good race for him.
“This race is going to be 10 times harder.
“We are under no illusions there but we have to kick him off somewhere and I’d rather stay at home in Sydney, get him going and then we can work it out from there.”
Widdup is eager to give Jedibeel the opportunity to prove himself worthy of the Mulberry Racing slot.
“That was the plan,” he said.
“They don’t want to take a horse to The Everest and make a gimmick of it either.
“He has to be in form to get his way there. They are open to what is around.
“He’s not locked in by all means. He has to win his way or be competing well to earn a slot.”