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By Greg Prichard

Trying to work out who wins the $2 million The Kosciuszko (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday? Check out these quotes from the trainer of every runner about their chances.

1. ART CADEAU (Terry Robinson, Shoalhaven Heads)
“We’re very happy with the way his preparation has gone. He looks a bit stronger than last year, which I think he’ll have to be because this is a really good field. I believe that the way we’ve prepared him he can sprint well again first-up.”

Keith Dryden (Pic: Steve Hart)

2. HANDLE THE TRUTH (Keith Dryden, Canberra)
“I don’t think he’s any better than he has been in the past, but he’s not far off his top and I think he’ll compete pretty well. I’d prefer it to be dry, especially with 59 kilos, but it is what it is. It was important to draw a good barrier and we did that.”

3. FRONT PAGE (Geoff Duryea, Corowa)
“He’s had two jump-outs and he had a hit-out on Tuesday morning on the grass and pulled up well. Doesn’t matter if the track’s a 5 or 15, he’s running. You never count your chickens. All I can do is take him there fit and well and hope he races well.”

4. MNEMENTH (Mitchell Beer, Albury)
“It’s been a faultless preparation. We’ve gone full steam ahead since the moment he came in from the paddock. He’s done his work now and he’s ready to go. He likes the wet. Not everyone’s happy about the wet weather, but we certainly are.”

5. ANOTHER ONE (Gary Colvin, Wagga)
“I was a bit worried before his last trial at Wagga because the track was pretty heavy, but he got through it good and quickened up really nice at the end and that was just how I wanted him to do it. Everything has gone well since.”

6. FAR TOO EASY (David McColm, Murwillumbah)
“I was very pleased with how he trialled at Eagle Farm, which followed a really good win at Gold Coast. It’s been a good preparation. He’s come on strong. Happy with the horse, happy with the jockey, looking forward to the race.”

7. FENDER (Brett Cavanough, Scone)
“He’ll fly the flag with It’s Me out, he won’t let us down. I hope there’s mud up to their withers. When he’s running 1200 metres he’s best fresh and he hasn’t had a run since late August. He’s got a good fresh record overall. He’s bang on ready to go.”

Matthew Dale (Pic: Bradley Photos).

8. IT’S ME (SCRATCHED).

9. CAVALIER CHARLES (Matthew Dale, Canberra)
“We’ve had him set toward this day from the end of last preparation to have him right on the day and if he got into the race be as competitive as he can be. Everything has gone to plan on that front on the back of his solid first-up performance. The horses he competed hard against are all Group and Listed horses every day of the week and he didn’t get a great deal of room at the right time. He fits into this race with a good, solid, competitive chance.”

10. ANETHOLE (Cody Morgan, Tamworth)
“Anethole ran the quickest last 600, 400 and 200 metres when he was eighth in the Shorts and that field included half the Everest runners. It was very encouraging to see him perform so well in that grade. He’s got to be a chance.”

11. SPIRANAC (Rod Northam, Scone)
“Really happy with her. Big weight drop into The Kosciuszko from her last run at Rosehill, increase in distance to 1200, she likes Randwick. I just hope it doesn’t get too wet because she doesn’t really like it heavy, but she handles firmer tracks really well.”

12. COMMANDO HUNT (Cameron Crockett, Scone)
“He’s perfect. I think he’s a better horse now than when I took him to the Country Championships. He’s going to have to be, because this is a tougher race, but he’s bigger and stronger and he’s come through his last two runs with a real spring in his step.”

13. TALBRAGAR (Cody Morgan, Tamworth)
“I’m not going down there thinking he’s an outsider, that’s for sure. He’s a very promising horse. He just hasn’t been seen yet in Sydney, that’s all. He’s had a good campaign and is ready to go.”

Cody Morgan (Pic: Bradley Photos)

14. LE MELODY (Cody Morgan, Tamworth)
“Early days she was well in the market for this race, but then she was beaten in a couple of races. But she was back to her absolute best when she won easily last start and got picked up by a slot-holder. I think she’ll run well.”

17. TESTATOR SILENS (Luke Clarke, Braidwood)
“He’s had a couple of jump outs, a quietish trial at Canberra about eight weeks ago then a good hard hitout at Goulburn a fortnight ago. He’s come through it very well and he’s good as gold. He’s as good as I can have him without having a run under his belt but he’s had heaps of work."

All the fields, form and replays for TAB Everest Day at Royal Randwick