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By Ray Hickson

Two-time TAB Everest winning trainer Chris Waller can see more three-year-olds pointed toward the nation’s premier sprint in the future, especially if his colt Shinzo or Godolphin’s Cylinder prevail in Saturday’s seventh edition at Royal Randwick.

Trainer Chris Waller (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Two of the six TAB Everest champions have been three-year-olds – Waller’s Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and Giga Kick last year – and the presence of two colts this year only illustrate how seriously the race is being taken when it comes to adding to their CVs.

Of course Shinzo already has a Golden Slipper win to his name but with Godophin allowing Cylinder to run without a Group 1 win says there’s a change of thought about the race’s importance.

“They are good horses, they’ve earnt the right to be in the race so getting weight from their older rivals is an advantage,’’ Waller said.

“The last couple of years we’ve seen Yes Yes Yes and Giga Kick win Everests as three-year-olds and the age group will continue to have a great record in the race.”

Many thought the wheels fell of Shinzo’s spring preparation when he finished well back in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) three weeks ago at his first run at three.

Waller said since that race he’s been pleased with the colt, he quickly recovered from pulling up lame first-up, and has come up with a barrier that can afford him every chance.

“Shinzo will just be where he’s comfortable, I think that’s the key for a young horse,’’ Waller said.

“Comfort is the key, but within striking distance if we can.

“There doesn’t look to be as much speed as in previous years with the Nature Strips and Eduardos so I think that will help him just engage with them, build momentum similar to that Golden Slipper victory.”

Shinzo is the first Golden Slipper winning colt to attempt the TAB Everest double – 2017 Slipper winning filly She Will Reign contested the inaugural edition and finished 11th.

He has a jockey that knows all about winning the TAB Everest, Kerrin McEvoy will chase his fourth success after winning on Redzel (2017 & 2018) and Classique Legend (2020).

McEvoy is more than happy to dismiss the Golden Rose performance and go on what he’s felt on the horse’s back in the five times he’s been on board since then.

“He’s pleased me since the Golden Rose, I’ve ridden him a few times and Chris and his team are happy with him as well,’’ McEvoy said.

“He chased a nice speed in the Golden Slipper and had a nice finish on him that day. I think Randwick is going to suit him and 1200m is the perfect distance.

“He’s a horse that can run to a really high level as he showed in the Slipper.”

Like most participants this week, McEvoy acknowledged that Overpass appears the only leader in the $20 million sprint and made his plea for a rival to make life hard for the front-runner.

“Overpass looks the leader and personally I’d like to see a bit of pressure applied to him,’’ he said.

Shinzo was a $17 chance with TAB on Friday, just behind his stablemate Espiona ($15) and Waller said the pair provide a strong representation in the race.

Espiona has won three of her past five starts including the Group 1 Coolmore Classic in the autumn and her last start runaway performance in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m).

Espiona wins the Golden Pendant

“We’ve got a young colt who is a rising star and mare which earned her place with some really good recent runs,’’ Waller said.

The five-year-old mare has a tendency to step away a shade slowly but Waller said gate three would negate that and still allow her to be competitive.

“In a sprint race every part of the race is important including off the blocks,’’ he said.

“When you have a soft barrier such as Espiona if you’re half a length slow it’s not the end of the race.”

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