THE TAB Everest is just over two weeks away and TAB’s representative for the world’s richest race on turf, Santa Ana Lane, is presently the $2.70 favourite at TAB to win the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
The Gilgai Stakes over 1200 metres is the only run that Santa Ana Lane will have before the TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 19 and the Anthony Freedman-trained seven-year-old gelding is currently the $6 second elect behind Pierata ($5 favourite).
Santa Ana Lane was scratched from The Shorts at Royal Randwick on September 21 due to a wet track and connections have opted to run the five-time Group 1 winner at Flemington, which was the scene of Santa Ana Lane’s victory in the 1200-metre VRC Sprint Classic last November.
Santa Ana Lane won the T.J. Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick last April during The Championships before finishing fourth in the Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin later that month.
In Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes at Flemington, Santa Ana Lane has eased as ‘Final Field’ favourite from $2.50 to $2.70 with Sunlight – also an entrant in the Everest – shortening from $3.50 to $2.80.
The other key lead-up race to the TAB Everest is at Royal Randwick on Saturday with Classique Legend the $2.30 favourite at TAB for the Premiere Stakes ahead of Osborne Bulls ($3), Graff and Brutal (both $6.50).
Gilgai Stakes (Flemington Race 6 on Saturday)
$2.70 Santa Ana Lane
$2.80 Sunlight
$6 Zoutori
$14 Tyzone
$16 I Am Excited
$18 Vital Silver
$21+ Others Quoted
Premiere Stakes (Randwick Race 5 on Saturday)
$2.30 Classique Legend
$3 Osborne Bulls
$6.50 Graff
Brutal
$17 Home Of The Brave
$26 Land Of Plenty
2019 TAB Everest
$5 Pierata
$6 Santa Ana Lane
$7 Arcadia Queen
Classique Legend
Redzel
$8 Osborne Bulls
$11 Bivouac
$15 Alizee
Graff
In Her Time
Nature Strip
Sunlight
Ten Sovereigns
$26 Brutal
Exceedance
Microphone
Trekking
Trope
Yes Yes Yes
$51+ Others Quoted