By Ray Hickson It's fair to say Peter Snowden is a convert to The Everest concept and not just because he trains one of the nation's in-form sprinters. The premiership winning trainer admitted the was a little sceptical when the concept was announced back in February but as time has unfolded he’s more than warmed to the idea. Snowden and his son Paul prepare classy five-year-old Redzel who will take a four race winning streak into the $10m TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. “I thought no one would give it the time of day,’’ Snowden said.
An interstate commitment saw champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy miss the ride in The Shorts but he’s back on board for The Everest where Redzel jumps from gate four. Snowden said his recent trial win was "the perfect trial’’ ahead of what is likely to be his grand final this preparation. “Without blinkers he's a bit casual, I didn't want to give him a gut buster but just a nice trial,’’ he said. ‘’The leader (Gambler’s Blues) gave him something to chase, exactly what we wanted.’’ As for the future of The Everest, Snowden has no doubt it will prove itself worthy of elevation to Group 1 status sooner rather than later. “It's a given that it will be but they can't make it a Group 1 straight away,’’ he said. “It's like the Golden Rose. We all knew it would be a Group 1 but took about three years and this race will probably be similar. “And it will hold horses here more, it'll make our racing stronger and horses will target the race.’’ Check out the fields for the Everest at Royal Randwick