Brenton Avdulla On The Everest: “She Trialled Every Bit As Good As Redzel”

Brenton rides the only horse that is essentially first up in The Everest so we sat down with him to discuss why he thinks she can win, the speed map & his other rides on the day.

This will be your third attempt at winning the Everest, what is it about In Her Time that tells you she can win the Everest?

I think she can win because she flies fresh as she’s won five from eight when first up, she is a multiple Group 1 winner, she has the form around all of these horses and I thought she trialled every bit as good as Redzel in the trial at Gosford. She’s also beaten Sunlight and Pierata before and finished 0.1L off Santa Ana Lane in the VRC Classic. She handles all conditions, has drawn well and I’m sure she will run well.

You looked to have drawn a good spot in gate 4, how do you see the race panning out for you?

We’ve drawn well so I think I’d just be positive and just get that spot where I cross those inside runners to get to one out at least and then let that speed go. Nature Strip would be working forward with Classique Legend needing to hold a spot. Sunlight will go forward so she should end up with a good run if she can step cleanly enough.

Does it worry you that In Her Time will essentially be first up in what looks like a high tempo race?

I understand that she is first up in a high tempo race but she has had three trials, a jump out and a couple of exhibition gallops so I do think she is forward enough and she will be fit enough even though she is first up. I don’t think it’s a worry because Kris set her for the race.

Who do you think your main dangers are?

It’s hard to go past Santa Ana Lane. He’s drawn soft, he’s going to be getting back but you can see what he’s done on his best foot forward. He’s good that good Randwick form where Zahra won the T.J on him and if he brings that he is going to be awfully hard to beat. Pierata is in good form, Nature Strip is the x-factor but he is suspect at the 1200m and then you’ve got mares like Alizee and Sunlight who are consistent. Arcadia Queen could be the best horse in the country in the next six months. It’s a strong race and it’s definitely a race that you can’t rule anything out.

You look to have a good book of rides other than In Her Time on Saturday, who are you looking forward to riding most?

I’d suggest that Come play With would be hard to beat. I was lucky enough to win the Metropolitan on him the other day, he has drawn awkwardly and gets the top weight of 59.5kg but if he can bounce through that last run in good order then he should put himself on the speed and he does get his chance to win.

I’ve got Dealmaker in the last and he hadn’t won for a while until the other day and sometimes these horses can put two in a row together.