Redzel has already cemented his place as one of the world’s best sprinters with his $10 million Everest victory, so winning the Darley Classic would be the icing on the cake.
Trainer Peter Snowden says the five-year-old has proven himself by winning the world’s richest thoroughbred race on turf, after flying under the radar for some time.
Redzel will likely face some of his Everest competitors in the $1 million Group One Darley Classic at Flemington on November 11, a race Snowden won with Mental in 2012.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win this race before. I know how big a race it is and I know how good a horse you need to have,” Snowden told AAP.
“I think the form that he’s in will be better than any horse that races him.”
Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, says the Doomben 10,000 winner has really proven himself.
“He deserves to get the best sprinter around at the moment,” he said.
“I think two weeks ago he put his name up there as that.
“He’s probably been flying under the radar for quite a while now but I think that win really cemented his place and this one could top it right off if he could pick this one up.”
Snowden said Redzel came through the 1200m Everest in great order and performed well in a jump-out at Flemington ahead of the Darley Classic on Saturday week.
“The jump-out last Friday was just to get him in step for that but I’m really, really happy with the horse.
“He looks sensational.”
Snowden expects it will be a hard race but is confident Redzel has what it takes to win.
“Down the straight’s a whole different race than around a corner, but he’s just in a really good place at the moment,” he said.
“He’s mentally and physically tough.
“It’ll take a good one to get past him.”
The Snowden stable will have multiple runners across the Melbourne Cup carnival, with Saturday’s $1 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds its other Group One target.
Dracarys may be lightly raced but did win the Group Three Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) in August in a Randwick track record.
He came eighth in his last start, the $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill last month.
“His only blemish was in the Golden Rose on a track he didn’t really appreciate being wet, but his trial was excellent here last Friday,” Snowden said.
“He was very, very good in a very hot heat. Most of the runners in that heat were all Coolmore horses and he trialled particularly well.”
