There are two Everest slots remaining in this years $13m edition of the race and with Kementari all but guaranteed one of those slots, two in form sprinters look to fight it out to gain the remaining spot in the race.
Both horses were on show on Saturday with both performing impressively in their respective races.
Vega Magic scored a massive win in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield gapping his rivals in what looked a stronger form race whilst Nature Strip who was said to be in a match race against Magic Millions Classic winner Sunlight made it a one act affair.
Bookmakers think Nature Strip was the more impressive horse with Sportsbet slashing his price into $8.50 whilst Vega Magic sits one line down at $11.
Everest 🏔market: View the Everest odds
Have Your Say 🗣: Who should be given the remaining slot in this years Everest? – Comment below ⬇️
Vega Magic’s win:
“EVEREST LOOK OUT.” That what scintillating stuff from Vega Magic who takes out the Bletchingly. @lindsayparkrace pic.twitter.com/sLoGcJDVuX
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 28, 2018
Nature Strip’s win:
WOW, JUST WOW. Nature Strip, genuinely stunning… pic.twitter.com/N2x2g6ykJJ
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 28, 2018
Twitter thinks Vega Magic should take the slot but only very marginally:
Who should get Everest slot after today’s wins ?
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) July 28, 2018
I am in the Vega Magic camp. His form stacks up better than Nature Strip’s in my opinion and was a luckless runner in the race last year proven he can match it in that class of a race. Nature Strip has also been up a long time so his preparation heading into the race would not be ideal and is suspect at a strong 1200m.