An Everest berth will be on the line for speedy colt Paulele, who gets a final chance to showcase his wares in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick.
Godolphin is deciding between seasoned campaigner Trekking and the up-and-coming Paulele to represent its slot in the $15 million feature and head trainer James Cummings says a final call won’t be made until they see what Paulele does on Saturday.
Paulele has finished second in two runs this campaign, chasing home subsequent Golden Rose winner In The Congo in the San Domenico Stakes and Home Affairs in the Heritage Stakes.
Cummings believes the horse has had genuine excuses in both and says the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) gives him an ideal opportunity to return to the winner’s list.
“We’re certainly going to get through the weekend before we lock in our Everest runner,” Cummings said on RSN.
“The Roman Consul is a nice race for the horse and his campaign.
“It’s a chance to reverse some of the fortune he’s been dealt with – a wide draw and a rails track at Rosehill last time, and a bit of a goat track at Kembla Grange the start before where he never looked comfortable.
“If he can get back to winning form that’s going to do his confidence a lot of good and it’s the right race to convert on that.”
TAB fixed odds has Paulele a solid $2.25 favourite for the three-year-old sprint, with New Zealander Sword Of State and Gleneagles next best at $5.50 apiece.
The David Payne-trained Gleneagles is also tackling the race third-up after finishing fourth to Paulele’s stablemate Anamoe in The Run To The Rose on September 11.
Despite winning the Clarendon Stakes over 1400m as a juvenile, Gleneagles is being trained for speed this preparation with either the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington or the Classique Legend Stakes in Sydney his longer-range target.
“He ran very well the other day. I think he’s a 1200 metre horse so we’ll keep him to sprints,” Payne said.
