James Mcdonald is booked to ride Nature Strip in The Everest but he is in no doubt Paulele can give the $15 million race a shake – if Godolphin selects him for its vacant slot.
McDonald partnered the colt to a dashing win in Saturday’s Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and walked away singing his praises.
“He’ll be hard to beat, that’s for sure,” McDonald said when asked if he thought Paulele would be up tackling an Everest.
“He’s a lovely horse and I’ve always touted him as one.
“I thought he should have won last start, just how the race was run, the leader got away with a cheap sectional and just dashed away on firm ground.
“But today, back to Randwick where he is able to wind up, he’s put in some good splits.”
Paulele was runner-up to Home Affairs at his previous start and that colt has been confirmed for the Everest slot held by Coolmore.
But Paulele is no certainty to be chosen with trainer James Cummings equally happy with the progress of seasoned campaigner Trekking.
The pair is in a two-way tussle to represent Godolphin in the rich sprint and if they go the way of Trekking, Cummings says there are plenty of other options for Paulele, including the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
“I think it’s worthwhile giving it a lot of thought. But there are other options too,” Cummings said.
“He’d be competitive in The Everest on the seven-day back-up I’m sure. The Manikato is (also) an option for him and so is the Coolmore because the winner of this race, it tends to be a very good lead up to the Coolmore every year. They always run well.
“He’s knocking on the door to be a potential Group One horse so that’s for us to consider.”
Paulele started a $1.90 favourite and gave his supporters little cause for concern, ranging up to the leading pack halfway up the straight and bursting clear to score by 1-1/2 lengths over Gleneagles ($9.50) with King Of Sparta ($9.50) another half-neck away third.
