Progressive Zoustar colt, Growing Empire, has secured his slot in the 12-horse field for this year’s $20 million The Everest with Yulong Investments confirming their runner in the world’s richest turf race at Randwick on October 19.

The exciting Ciaron Maher-trained Growing Empire, runner-up last start in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in a narrow defeat after leading most of the straight, is at $6 through Ladbrokes.com.au to become the third three-year-old The Everest winner.

He nearly completes the line-up with all but one of the 12 slot holders having selected their 2024 The Everest contenders.

Three-time The Everest winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride Growing Empire in this year’s lucrative event chasing his record extending fourth win.

The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win is the current $5 favourite in The Everest betting with the multiple Group 1 winner coming off a Manikato third.

Bella Nipotina, stablemate of Growing Empire, is also at $6 for the win as the mare looks to atone for her third in the Group 2 $1 million Premiere Stakes (1200m) at The Everest track and trip behind shock winner Airman.

The other most recent confirmed The Everest horse is fellow three-year-old Traffic Warden racing for Godolphin.

The James Cummings-trained Street Boss colt has won three of his nine starts, was fourth in last year’s Golden Slipper as a juvenile, won the Group 2 Run To The Rose fresh this time in, and was last seen placing second in a photo to Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).

“He’s come through his most recent run brilliantly, and third-up he will be ready to peak Everest day,’’ Cummings said.

Traffic Warden will be ridden by his Group 2 VRC Sires’ winning jockey, Jamie Kah, in The Everest 2024.

“We are thrilled to have Traffic Warden representing Godolphin in The Everest,” Andy Makiv, Managing Director of Godolphin Australia, told Racing.com.

“He is an outstanding three-year-old colt by one of our best stallions in Street Boss and he highlights the incredible efforts of our people, from the office teams to the farms and the racing stables.”

Updated The Everest markets have Traffic Warden at $8.

Lady Of Camelot (James Harron Bloodstock) is the other three-year-old The Everest runner this spring, while Coolmore are likely to name Storm Boy to fill the final slot.

Click here for the full The Everest betting markets from Ladbrokes.com.au.

Confirmed 2024 The Everest Contenders

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