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By Ray Hickson

He's been there twice before and Trekking will again carry Godolphin's hopes into the TAB Everest.

And Vin Cox, Godolphin Australia's Managing Director, says there's an air confidence in the team that it can be third time lucky for the seven-year-old after a third placing in 2019 and his fourth in last year's renewal of the $15 million sprint.

"He’s been amongst the elite sprinters for a few seasons now and he’s not the oldest horse in the race,'' Cox said.

Trekking has his third attempt at the TAB Everest in 2021 (Pic: Godolphin)

"He’s been in the Everest twice before and Nature Strip has been in the same race and each time he has beaten him.

"We think we have a good genuine horse in good form heading towards the race with a legitimate chance."

So far Godolphin has finished third on two occasions in the TAB Everest with Osborne Bulls also filling that placing in 2018.

Trekking will be partnered by Josh Parr for the third year running and arrives at the TAB Everest in good form and with form around other Everest runners.

He resumed with a closing third behind Nature Strip in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) then could be considered unlucky not to finish closer when third behind Wild Ruler and The Inferno in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Cox said while there was some conjecture in the public sphere about what horse Godolphin might take to the TAB Everest it was always Trekking’s spot to lose and he and trainer James Cummings expect the horse to run well.

“If you’re going to play Test Match rugby you want to run on with a player you know is not going to let you down and give you his best,’’ he said.

“You get that with Trekking and he’s a safe pair of hands.

“We said all along Trekking was our horse and it was more the commentators engaging in what else we might or potentially could run. We just stuck with what we always thought and Trekking goes in.”

The gelding is a $21 chance with TAB prior to Tuesday’s barrier draw.

Classique Legend, the defending champion, holds top spot in the market at $4 with Nature Strip, also in his third Everest, next at $4.50.

“It is quite open and the favourite is a horse that hasn’t run in nearly 12 months,’’ Cox said.

“So we think he has a good chance.”

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