'I’m a very hard marker': Pride wants Fasika to prove Everest credentials
Joe Pride achieved one Everest dream when Eduardo was selected for the elite field this week and he hopes Fasika can race her way into the $15 million sprint with an impressive display at Randwick on Saturday.
With 10 slots filled, only James Harron and Chris Waller are left looking for a sprinter for The Everest and Fasika, along with Deprive, Standout and Libertini, will audition in the Premiere Stakes.
Fasika is set for an Everest audition in Saturday's Premiere StakesCredit:getty
They will be faced with Everest favourites Nature Strip and Classique Legend, so will get a fair indication if they are up to the mark.
“I’m very hopeful someone will want to take her after Saturday,” Pride said. "I have said all along I don’t want to be making up the numbers.
“I wouldn’t want her to be there as a 50 or 100-1 chance; I have more respect for her than that and she is a better mare than that.
“I'll tell you something, if I’m happy with her, a slot holder will want her because I’m a very hard marker.”
Pride got it right with Eduardo, deciding not to run him after he was The Shorts runner-up behind Classique Legend, and made a bold call to go to the Premiere with Fasika instead of the Golden Pendant.
“There is a fair body of evidence she just doesn’t like Rosehill, particularly when it is firm," he said. "We avoided that [in the Golden Pendant] last Saturday and I’m happy we did because it was very firm.
“She has gone on tracks rated a good 4 at Randwick before, whereas she has been unable to do that at Rosehill.
“She has a bit of form in small fields, and on Saturday she will just trail up Nature Strip and if he misses the start we won’t be worried if she takes control and the position up front.
“She is best up on the speed and best at Randwick.”
Fasika is considered the best of the rest in betting as a $13 shot for the Premiere, where Nature Strip is out to $1.80 as money comes for Classique Legend at $3.20.
Pride has locked in Rachel King to ride Eduardo in The Everest and she will barrier trial him at Warwick Farm next Friday.
"He is such a competitive horse and it is terrific to have him there," Pride said. "He will have that trial and go into the race very fresh.
"He is ready to run the race of his life in The Everest and if he does that he will be right there in the finish."
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald