By Ray Hickson Vega Magic has a reputation as a ‘destroyer’, Redkirk Warrior is chilled out while Tulip is a strong willed lass. That’s co-trainer Ben Hayes’s description of the Lindsay Park team’s three runners in the $10 million TAB Everest following their gallops on Monday. Tulip worked at home at Euroa and will travel to Sydney later in the week while Vega Magic and Redkirk Warrior had solo spins on the Randwick course proper. “I was quite surprised how relaxed they both were,’’ Hayes said. “Vega Magic has always been a very keen horse, he destroys the horses we work him with so he does most of his work by himself. He does too much if you have him with company.
Redkirk Warrior stretching out nicely in his gallop on the course proper. #TheEverest @tabcomau @AndrewBensley @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/zf8x5MGAUS
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“The only reason he ran in the Bobbie Lewis was to get him the slot because people were a bit put off by his form in Sydney last time,’’ Hayes said. “But that was on heavy 10 tracks and over a mile and 1400m.’’ The filly Tulip received a late call up to represent Coolmore in the Everest though Hayes said she more than deserves her place in the race and may well surprise a few. “At home she’s a fantastic worker and when Coolmore was looking for a horse we suggested her,’’ he said. “We worked her with one of our Group sprinters and she beat it so I think she will be very competitive. I think she’ll definitely be finishing up in the order.’’ Hayes said the measuring stick for Tulip in The Everest is She Will Reign. His filly ran third in the Golden Slipper and while beaten five lengths he said a good case could be made that she should have finished a lot closer, evidenced by gaining third on protest. Tim Clark rides Tulip on 51kg.