Trainer Michael Freedman’s crack young sprinter Ninja is the first confirmed starter in the Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick next month.
Freedman confirmed a deal has been negotiated with slot-holder John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds to lock in a start in the world’s richest turf race on October 17.
Ninja, brilliant winner of the Missile Stakes when he resumed last month, is raced by micro-syndicators My Racehorse and Camilleri, who bred the sprinter, retained a share in the gelding.
There is only six weeks to The Everest and Ninja is the first of the 12 sprinters to secure a start.
Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising resumes in the Group 3 Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday and barring any unforeseen circumstance, he will go into quarantine after the race and be confirmed in the Hong Kong Jockey Club slot.
Freedman said the Everest deal with Ninja gives him “clarity” as he prepares the four-year-old for the rich Randwick sprint.
“I mentioned to John before Ninja even ran in the Missile that I was really happy with how he is going,” Freedman said.”Of course, John is a breeder and part-owner of Ninja and he just said let’s wait and see how he goes first-up.
“Then, The Everest became a realistic option so now he’s locked in, we can plot a path to the race.
“It’s nice to have that clarity but to be fair if he didn’t get a slot, I was planning to get him ready for the Sydney Stakes on the same day.”
Camilleri said he was happy with the arrangement to secure Ninja a start in The Everest.
“I have had my heart set on him for a few months now,” Camilleri said.
“I’ve always thought he was more a sprinter rather than a mile.
“So, we have come full circle in a way. I bred the horse, retained a share in him and now he can run in the Fairway Thoroughbreds slot with My Racehorse.”
Ben Willis, the managing director of My Racehorse, revealed there are 1700 part-owners in Ninja.
“What The Everest has done is create conversation, innovation and has brought a new fan base into racing,” Willis said.
“When you look here on Everest Day, it is filled with a young audience and new people to the sport.
“There are great synergies with what we have tried to develop from about five years ago when we first launched and that is to bring a new audience into racing.
“To have a horse running in a $20 million race, the world’s richest race on turf, is pretty special for My Racehorse.
“It validates what we are trying to do from a product perspective and that is to provide an opportunity to run in the best races in the world.”
In early TAB Fixed Odds betting on The Everest, Ka Ying Rising is a dominant $1.50 favourite ahead of Tempted at $9, Guest House is into $11, then Joliestar at $13 with Ninja at $15.
