Redzel has done it again in the 2018 The Everest!

Redzel made it back-to-back wins in The Everest at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

It was almost an exact replay of last year as Redzel went straight to the front in the early stages of the contest and simply proved too quick for his rivals once again.

The race changed complexion in the early stages when U S Navy Flag missed the start and it was Le Romain that challenged Redzel for the lead in the early stages of the race.

Kerrin McEvoy had Redzel in a lovely rhythm throughout the contest and he still had plenty of horse underneath him at the top of the straight.

A host of horses loomed on the outside, including Osborne Bulls down the extreme outside, but Redzel never really looked like getting run down.

Kerrin McEvoy remains the only jockey to have ever won The Everest and he was clearly over the moon to continue his great association with Redzel.

 “This is euphoria at its best,” McEvoy said. 

“It is such an electric feeling.

“I was really happy there was a bit of rain around and he did the rest.

It is a huge buzz to win it again. 

“It was similar to last year.

“Last year we had a bunny, this year there were a few scenarios going through Peter and Paul’s heads and mine as to how it might unfold.

“I thought Ryan Moore’s horse (U S Navy Flag) might be a bit of a pest early, maybe Hayes’ horse (Vega Magic) with the Blinkers on if he got a bit keen.”

“From the 1 gate, that was Plan A, to control it from the front.

“That’s what this horse is able to do.

“He loved the ground and is such a little warrior.

“He is a joy to be a part of.”

Co-trainer Peter Snowden admitted that Redzel had not had an ideal lead-up and he thought his entire campaign was in jeopardy when he injured himself in his box the day before The Shorts.

“To do it once I thought we were very lucky but again it is just unbelievable,” Snowden said.

“I knew we had the horse and I was confident he would make improvement.

“He judged the pace perfectly to give him the chance to finish off hard and the last furlong was his best.” 

Trapeze Artist received a lovely run just behind the leaders and he looked as the major danger, but he was unable to catch Redzel.

Tommy Berry took Osborne Bulls to the extreme outside of the straight and he stormed home in the concluding stages to finish over the top of Le Romain for third.