Adelaide-based trainer Gordon Richards is more than happy for Gytrash to jump out of gate one for this Saturday’s The Everest at Royal Randwick, with his ever-consistent galloper having a second shot at the $15 million race.
Finishing third in last year’s running, Gytrash has drawn more suitably this time around, and Richards would much rather prefer to be inside than having to traverse from out wide.
“People have a thing about barrier one these days,” Richards said.
“It used to be a good barrier but now people shy away from it.
“Given a choice of 10, 11 or 12 I’d take one every time.”
With speedsters Nature Strip and Eduardo both drawing wider out, Richards believes there will be plenty of pace on from the outset, which will suit his Lope De Vega gelding.
“There’s no use saying ‘there’s going to be a stack of speed’ and there may not be, there will be,” Richards said.
“They won’t slow down in front, especially drawn out wide, those horses will have to dig up.
“He drew one in The Shorts the other day and he’ll get a very similar run with an extra half furlong, which is up his alley.”
The importance of The Everest is not lost on Richards and he is hopeful this is the not the last time he contests the rich affair.
“The penny is starting to drop how big this race is,” Richards said.
“Last year it was probably a novelty for us, but this year we’ve had 12 months to prepare him for it.
“It’s probably the pinnacle of racing in Australia. I hope he’s back here next year.”
Gytrash has been a model of consistency for Richards with the six-year-old only missing a place twice in 25 starts and amassing almost $3.3 million in earnings in the process. He is currently equal-fourth in the betting with the TAB on the $8 line.
Last year’s winner Classique Legend heads the market at $4 with Nature Strip sitting closely behind at $4.50.
