For Mazu’s owners Triple Crown Syndications, this was their back to the future moment.

Global racing and breeding giant Yulong announced on Monday they had chosen Mazu in the 12th and final slot for Saturday’s $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick.

Mazu replaces the injured Private Harry, who was officially withdrawn from The Everest a week ago after being the first sprinter selected back in April.

The Joe Pride-trained Mazu will contest his third The Everest. He is at $51 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising at $1.75 favourite.

Mazu was the minor placegetter behind Giga Kick and Private Eye in the 2022 The Everest then he also made the field for the 2023 The Everest in which he ran 11th to Think About It.

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The evergreen seven-year-old sprinter’s form this spring has been encouraging including competitive efforts in two Everest lead-ups – his fourth placing behind Joliestar in The Shorts then a last start third to Briasa and Jimmysstar in the Premiere Stakes.

“Mazu has been in particularly good form this spring,” Triple Crown’s Chris Ward said.

“He’s been running against the very best sprinters and running creditably. He’s showing plenty of speed and he’s such a competitive racehorse.

“We feel he is capable of running top six at least and if he can do that, it will take his career prizemoney over $10 million which is amazing.

“He’s been an owner’s dream, really. For five years, he has taken them on this great ride up and down the east coast running in all the big sprint races and now he’s about to line up in his third Everest.”

Triple Crown’s Mazu Takes Yulong Investments’ Slot in the 2025 $20 Million The Everest. pic.twitter.com/XZ87FSxwxz

— Triple Crown Syndications (@TripleCrownSynd) October 12, 2025

• ‘It’s all fake news’: Ka Ying Rising dispels Everest fitness doubts in Canterbury gallop

With Mazu’s selection for Saturday’s big race, this means Triple Crown has a remarkable record of representation in The Everest with a starter six times in nine years.

Triple Crown’s Redzel won the inaugural 2017 The Everest then returned 12 months later to again win the world’s richest turf race.

Redzel ran in a third The Everest in 2019, finishing eighth behind three-year-old Yes Yes Yes.

The final field for Saturday’s big race includes 9 individual Group 1 winners – Ka Ying Rising, Briasa, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah, Jimmystar, War Machine, Overpass, Magic Time and Mazu.

Godolphin filly Tempted, the only three-year-old in the race, Angel Capital and Jedibeel are Group 2 winners.

Hong Kong’s champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising put to rest unfounded rumours about his fitness for Saturday’s $20 million The Everest with a crucial fast gallop at Canterbury Park this morning. Story: @RayThomas_1👇https://t.co/ZPpUhwIMCPpic.twitter.com/Op6luel4PQ

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) October 12, 2025

• Bella blueprint has Jimmysstar spot on for The Everest

Joliestar is the only sprinter in The Everest field to have started in the big race last year, finishing seventh.

Bella Nipotina, last year’s Everest winner, Growing Empire (third), Sunshine In Paris (fifth), Storm Boy (eighth), I Am Me (10th), I Wish I Win (11th) and Traffic Warden (scratched at the barrier) have all been retired.

Giga Kick (second) won the Schillaci Stakes first-up last Saturday and is being aimed at the Group 1 Champion’s Sprint, Lady Of Camelot (fourth) is spelling, Private Eye (sixth) runs at Caulfield on Saturday and Stefi Magnetica (ninth) is nominated for the Silver Eagle at Royal Randwick.

⚜️ Locked in 🔒

Gr.1 winner 𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐮 is now confirmed as the final runner in The 2025 Everest, as Yulong and @TripleCrownSynd look to repeat their winning formula 🔥

Read more:https://t.co/pymHU49R3U#aworldofopportunitypic.twitter.com/UYvHi5mrYQ

— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) October 12, 2025

• Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Horses to follow from Rosehill on Saturday

Yulong began the selection process for The Everest field months ago with Private Harry then when that sprinter was injured, it was up to them to finish it only five days before the big race.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing that injury forced Private Harry’s withdrawal from the Yulong slot, but to secure a seasoned sprinter like Mazu is a huge bonus, particularly at this late stage,” Yulong COO Sam Fairgray said.

“Mr Zhang has already tasted success in The Everest previously with Triple Crown Syndications thanks to Redzel’s phenomenal run in 2018, and it’s extremely exciting to be partnering with the team again for another tilt.”

Mazu gives Yulong as slot-holder a third starter in The Everest as they race Magic Time (slot holder Inglis) and Angel Capital (James Harron Bloodstock).