Five-time Group 1 winner Santa Ana Lane is poised for a return to the world’s richest turf race in October, with an announcement expected later today surrounding the world’s highest-rated sprinter and a potential Everest slot.
The $14 million race at Randwick drew a host of speedsters last year, including two-time winner Redzel. The Anthony Freedman-trained Santa Ana Lane ran an unlucky sixth on the heavy track but has since gone on to claim a pair of impressive Group 1 wins to capture the attention of racing fans worldwide.
After winning the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick last month, owners had their eyes set firmly on Hong Kong. Santa Ana Lane was the favourite to win the Chairman’s Sprint Prize last month but struggled with a slow early tempo running fourth.
The decision to target The Everest on October 19 comes as no surprise as connections prepare to challenge guaranteed slot-holders Pierata and Classique Legend.
The six-year-old Santa Ana Lane was installed as the $5.00 Everest favourite after winning the TJ Smith Stakes.
Pierata ran fifth behind Santa Ana Lane in the TJ Smith before winning the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick a fortnight later.
