Exciting colt The Next Episode will bypass a shot at this year’s The Everest, with connections instead opting for a conservative spring campaign aimed at the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
Widden Stud principal and part-owner Antony Thompson said trainer Ciaron Maher is focused on the long-term development of the talented three-year-old rather than rushing him into the world’s richest turf sprint.
“We are not tempted to go for The Everest,” Thompson told Racing And Sports. “I think Ciaron wants to be conservative and play the long game.
“Ciaron has looked after him so far as there was a temptation to push on to a Group 1 in Brisbane but he didn’t, he did the right thing by the horse.
“He feels the Coolmore [Stud Stakes] is the right race to target with The Next Episode during the spring carnival.”
The 10th running of The Everest is now less than three months away, yet the October 17 feature at Randwick still has no confirmed starters.
Defending champion Ka Ying Rising is expected to return if he remains fit and in form, while the spring plans for Autumn Glow are still being finalised. Overseas raiders Satono Reve, Almeraq and Mission Central are now considered unlikely to travel to Sydney.
Despite that, there remains a deep pool of potential contenders. Godolphin could call upon Tempted or Beiwacht, while Joliestar and Jimmysstar are expected to resume their Everest aspirations this spring.
Briasa, Headwall, Overpass, Marhoona, Spicy Martini, Angel Capital, Well Written, Jigsaw and Caballus also feature among the possible runners.
The emerging crop of three-year-olds adds another layer of intrigue, with Coolmore able to choose between Golden Slipper winner Guest House, unbeaten St Gotthard and The Next Episode. Other youngsters under consideration include Campione D’Italia, Fireball, Streisand, Blue Door and Chayan.
Several of those spring hopefuls will step out in barrier trials at Warwick Farm, where Campione D’Italia and Fireball begin preparations for the Golden Rose. Angel Capital and Beiwacht are also scheduled to trial, while Joe Pride will give Ceolwulf and Attica their first public hit-outs of the campaign.
The Next Episode, a $2.8 million son of Snitzel, has already justified his lofty price tag after winning three of his five starts and banking almost $800,000 during an outstanding juvenile season.
Thompson said Maher’s measured approach is designed to ensure the colt fulfils his considerable potential.
“The Next Episode is a very kind, relaxed, intelligent horse but on raceday he gets a bit excited at the barriers and wants to get on with it a bit,” Thompson said.
“He is fairly inexperienced, so Ciaron wants to keep him in Melbourne and teach the horse to do things right in his races.
“The plan is to get him to the Coolmore at probably his third or fourth run in — Flemington on Derby Day is the dream.”
