THE EVEREST WON’T BE ALCOHOL FREE

The field for this year’s $20 million The Everest at Randwick on Saturday has been finalised after Yulong on Monday confirmed its runner for this Saturday’s 1200-metre event.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare Alcohol Free, who was bought by Yulong for more than $10 million last year, will run in the Yulong slot.

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It ends speculation that star Kiwi mare Imperatriz would be recruited to run in what was the last slot to be filled and

Yulong tasted success in the world’s richest turf race when Redzel won the 2018 edition as Yulong’s representative.

Craig Williams, who won last year’s The Everest aboard Giga Kick, will ride Alcohol Free.

Waterhouse is thrilled that the daughter of No Nay Never joins Premiere Stakes runner-up Hawaii Five Oh as her representatives in the race.

“We are delighted that she has gained at start in the race, ridden by Craig Williams, who of course is already a winner of the race,” Waterhouse said.

“It was a good run in the Premiere Stakes, and she really needed that to take the edge off her freshness. I believe she is absolutely spot on now.

“Yulong have become a major player in the Australian breeding and racing scene, Adrian and myself are very excited that she can represent Yulong in their silks and in their slot.”

A four-time Group 1 winner in Europe, Alcohol Free is in her second campaign in Australia and resumed with a fourth placing, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick on September 30.

Alcohol Free is $34 at PlayUp with I Wish I Win favourite at $4.