Everest hopeful English has joined slot holder In Her Time as a non-starter in the Stradbroke Handicap with a view to the $13 million Everest.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have decided to send the dual Group One-winner for a spell rather than run her in the Group One Stradbroke (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday week.
The training partnership made the call after English ran fourth in the Group One Kingsford Smith Cup (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday after winning the the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 12.
“She ran a good race but she’s had enough now this preparation,” Bott said.
English, who was sixth in the inaugural Everest last spring, started her campaign in February and had five starts, including four at Group One level.
“She’s been up a while. We were hoping she still had enough left and I think she held her form from her last start but the stretch out in trip was tough,” Bott said.
“The Stradbroke was an option, though it was always less likely than more likely.”
The priority is a start in The Everest at Randwick in October, although the Tabcorp slot English occupied last year has been secured by the Ben Smith-trained In Her Time.
Bott was happy with Sedanzer’s third placing in the Group Three Premier’s Cup (2200m), a stepping stone to the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2200m) on Stradbroke Day.
“She got further back than we would have liked but from the barrier (12) she was the victim of circumstance really,” he said.
Waterhouse and Bott have one runner at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday when three-year-old filly Sheikha will tackle the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m).
Bott says Sheikha has settled in well and will likely have blinkers added in a bid to help her focus.
