The remaining slot holders for the $20 million The Everest on October 19 could be tempted to select the Team Hawkes-trained Airman on the back of his shock success when trumping a field of better fancied sprinters at Randwick on Epsom Day in the Premiere Stakes 2024 results.
Ridden by the on-fire young Zac Lloyd, who was fresh off his Flight Stakes win on Lady Shenandoah only a half hour before, Airman ($41) was there over the line first by a nose to defeat Mazu ($7) with Ciaron Maher’s beaten favourite Bella Nipotina ($2.40F) third in an exciting edition of the Group 2 $1 million Premiere Stakes (1200m).
“I’ve got to give Zac credit. Before the race we talked about it, and as cocky as he is, he just said, ‘listen, we’ll win this and get in The Everest’. I said, ‘mate, go and do it’,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.
“So, you know what, I’ve got to give Zac credit. He rode the perfect race. The horse has been knocking on the door, we just changed a few things up and here we are.”
Think About It, a disappointment this year flopping out of the gates before being heavily restrained and never challenging, completed the Premiere Stakes – The Everest double last spring.
The world’s richest turf race is calling for a host of the Premiere Stakes graduates including the already locked in Bella Nipotina and the fourth placed Giga Kick who won the 2022 The Everest as a three-year-old.
I Am Invincible five-year-old Airman has thrown his hand up for a potential slot in the 12-horse The Everest field now as a lead-up Premiere Stakes champion, and Hawkes had a message for the slot holders still to secure their contender.
“Talk to us. We’ve got no problems in talking to anybody. You know what, that’s what he’s just beaten. He’s up there with them. He’s proven he can do it. Why not?” he said.
It was a hugely improved run third-up from the gelding who has taken an age to deliver but could be hitting his stride at exactly the right time.
Lloyd was full of both pre-race confidence and post-raise praise for Airman who he has dubbed a genuine chance to beat them again should he get to The Everest.
“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in this horse, so has Michael,” he said.
“But to win that race, I’m a bit surprised. I like to build my confidence before I get on a horse but I didn’t think it would work that much. But he’s a very good horse, he just hasn’t shown it this prep. We got a lovely run. He was comfortable. And he won well.
“Most definitely (he could be competitive in The Everest).
“You’ve got horses like Think About It, Bella Nipotina, Giga Kick over six furlongs and he’s beat them there with set weights. So you’d be silly not to think he was competitive for sure.
“He’s always had the ability, he’s just needed to put it together.”
Airman has been added to The Everest betting at $41.
Click here for the updated pre-field The Everest 2024 odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
2024 Premiere Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | AIRMAN | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Zac Lloyd (a) | 3 | 58.5kg | $41 | ||
| 2 | 3 | MAZU | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 0.15L | 2 | 58.5kg | $7 | |
| 3 | 7 | BELLA NIPOTINA | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 0.29L | 5 | 56.5kg | $2.40F | |
| 4 | 1 | GIGA KICK | Clayton Douglas | James McDonald | 0.95L | 4 | 58.5kg | $3.10 | |
| 5 | 4 | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Joshua Parr | 1.34L | 1 | 58.5kg | $51 | |
| 6 | 2 | THINK ABOUT IT | Joseph Pride | Jason Collett | 2.51L | 7 | 58.5kg | $4.40 | |
| 7 | 6 | BANDI’S BOY | Danny Williams | Jay Ford | 3.66L | 6 | 58.5kg | $101 | |
| 8 | CHAIN OF LIGHTNING | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Tommy Berry | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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