By Ray Hickson Josh Parr doesn’t need 5.8 million reasons to want to win the Everest on Deploy – to do it for long time supporters John and Pam Cornish is reason enough. The 30-year-old is rapt to be able to ride one of Sydney’s in-form sprinters in the $10 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick for owners that have supported him for over a decade. They handed him his first city winner – a mare called Sharp Aunty at Warwick Farm on July 29, 2006 – and he’d dearly love to take out the biggest race he’s ever ridden in. “When you create a bond like that it’s nice to continue the relationship with those people,’’ Parr said.
“I elected to take my suspension immediately just so I could be back for this race. The anticipation has been remarkable. “It’s given people a reason to talk about Sydney racing in the spring and we haven’t seen anything like this before. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.’’ Both Parr and Ryan are adamant Deploy doesn’t need to lead to win The Everest and Ryan is even more certain that he won’t be leading. The five-year-old runs in the Everest for an unusual partnership, with rival Rosehill trainer Chris Waller selecting Deploy to run in his slot while Ryan trains. Ryan said Deploy is simply flying at the moment and his will to win will take him a long way. “When he broke the record at Randwick he sat behind the speed. I can’t picture Deploy leading the race, depending on where he draws he’ll be just behind the speed,’’ Ryan said. “He’s done well out of the trial, swum and cantered around and did a bit of pacework on Saturday morning. “He has fitness, toughness and he doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He’s a winner, he’s won his last six races on Sydney metropolitan tracks.’’ Check out the nominations for Everest Day at Royal Randwick