Mazu back on track for The Everest after positive trial
Mazu trialled on Tuesday after missing the Premiere Stakes last Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos
Shinzo and Mazu secured their places in the field for the $20m The TAB Everest with impressive efforts in a star-studded Rosehill barrier trial on Tuesday morning.
The 1000m trial included five The Everest runners – Mazu, Buenos Noches, In Secret, Overpass and Shinzo.
The other two entries for the trial are both Group 1 winners, Fangirl and Think It Over.
The speedy Overpass was never headed and won the trial by 1¼ lengths from Mazu who chased the leader all the way.
They put three lengths on their chasing rivals with Shinzo kept under a tight rein to finish third, just in front of In Secret as Buenos Noches finished a close sixth.
Overpass, ridden by Tim Clark, ran a fast 58.17sec in the trial with Mazu given a solid hit-out to prove his fitness.
The Chris Waller-trained Shinzo trialled nicely and later on Tuesday morning was confirmed as the first Golden Slipper-winning colt to contest The Everest.
Overpass lead all the way to take out the opening heat at Rosehill this morning.
It was a star-studded trial that included Mazu, Shinzo, In Secret, Fangirl, Buenos Noches and Think It Over. pic.twitter.com/nGJGKSCqp6
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 2, 2023
Shinzo is raced by Everest slot-holder Coolmore Australia.
Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden were forced to withdraw Mazu from a crucial lead-up race, the Premiere Stakes last Saturday due to a minor injury.
But Mazu responded well to chiropractic treatment and his trial effort showed the gelding's Everest campaign is back on track.
Master trainer Peter Snowden admitted he did not know why Mazu was found to have a minor injury issue just hours before the Premiere Stakes as the gelding had galloped well at trackwork earlier that morning.
"We worked him at 4am, he was sound and in good shape,'' Snowden said.
"Then he was trotted up later in the morning and everything was fine. It wasn't until we pulled him out of his box to take him to the races early in the afternoon that he walked out 2/5 lame.''
The Snowden stable provided a veterinary clearance to stewards to allow the sprinter to contest Tuesday morning's trial.
Mazu, who ran third in The Everest behind Giga Kick last year, is at $26 in latest TAB betting for The Everest behind Think About It at $4 favourite.
■ Trainer Joe Pride confirmed Think About It has pulled up well after his Premiere Stakes comeback win and will go straight to The Everest.
But stablemate Private Eye, winner of The Shorts two weeks ago, will have a barrier trial at Randwick on Friday as his final serious The Everest hitout.
Meanwhile, Team Snowden's talented three-year-old King's Gambit had an exhibition gallop alongside stablemate King Of Sparta between races at Warwick Farm on Monday.
Snowden said King's Gambit will take on the likes of unbeaten Ozzmosis, Balkans, Royal Tribute and Celestial Legend in the Group 2 $300,000 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
