Shoals takes The Star's place in The Everest
Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara and The Star have come to terms to have triple group 1 winner Shoals run in The Everest in October.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock, which is owned in partnership by Messara and Jonathan Munz, became the fifth horse to secure a place in the $13 million race at Randwick on October 13 on Thursday.
“Shoals has the kind of star power that can light up Royal Randwick,” Messara said. “Jonathan and I are delighted to conclude an arrangement with The Star for Shoals to run in The Everest.
“We think she is a great chance to win the race and we’re all looking forward to her return in the spring.”
Shoals is unbeaten at Randwick, having won the Percy Sykes over The Everest course of 1200m as two-year-old before taking the group 1 Surround Stakes at Headquarters in the autumn.
She is set to be Australian three-year-old filly of the year after beating the older mares twice at group 1 level as a three-year-old filly, in the Myer Classic at a mile during the Melbourne Cup carnival and the Robert Sangster Stakes over 1200m last month.
Shoals had drawn interest from several slot holders but The Star was able to swoop after a couple sets of negotiations fell through.
She joins defending champion Redzel, which will run for Yulong Investments, Trapeze Artist (Aquis Farm), In Her Time (TAB) and Brave Smash, which is taking Chris Waller's place in the field. All five have group 1 wins this season.
Michael Hodgson, general manager of business development and partnerships at The Star Entertainment Group, was delighted to do a deal with Messara.
“He’s one of the most knowledgeable and esteemed racing men in the world, and in Shoals we believe we have an outstanding filly capable of claiming the event,” he said.
Shoals is a $15 chance with Crownbet for The Everest, which has Trapeze Artist as a $4.80 favourite in front of Redzel and Godolphin's Kementari, which is yet to secure a slot, at $9.
By securing The Star’s slot, Shoals solves the first part of the puzzle for her trainer Anthony Freedman, who also prepares Santa Ana Lane. The three-time group 1 winner became the first horse to complete the Goodwood-Stradbroke double last Saturday.