Unbeaten sprinter on Everest journey

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are eyeing an ambitious program with unbeaten sprinter What You Need.

High on the agenda is the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October and already there has been some discussions on gaining a slot in Australia’s richest race.

What You Need has only had three starts, winning a Geelong maiden in August last year and then two straight track victories at Flemington during the autumn.

Price said the entire’s owner has had some dialogue with a slot-holder, but nothing was confirmed, however Price and Kent Jnr are planning on a two-run campaign leading into The Everest.

The Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 9 or the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) on September 16 are two Melbourne races that could be What You Need’s kick-off before the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30.

The McEwen Stakes is slated as the spring starting point for Everest hopefuls Giga Kick and I Wish I Win.

Price said he would not shy away from tackling those two gallopers if the McEwen Stakes was chosen as What You Need’s preferred return run.

He said What You Need was likely to have two jump-outs before resuming.

“You can only program your own horse, so if that is the case and we want to duck for cover, we’d go down the straight,” Price said.

“He’s such a good straight six horse, but I spoke to Ben Melham about him and asked how he would handle Moonee Valley and he said he would handle Moonee Valley no worries.

“He’s a good beginner and can put himself there.

“There has been a bit of interest in him for The Everest and I’m making The Everest run number three, so he’ll have two trials and then two runs in.

“One way is the McEwen, into the Premiere, which they all use as the lead-in to The Everest, and the other way is the Bobbie Lewis, into the Premiere into The Everest.

“So, the Premiere will be the fork in the road for him.”

Price said if a start in The Everest did not look like eventuating, then the Group 1 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 29 may become an option.

“He’s a colt and if he didn’t run in the Premiere, there’s the Moir, which could be an option if we’re trying to find a home at stud for this horse,” Price said.

“He’s a good horse and I’m sure he’s a Group horse coming along, it’s just a matter of what we can do with him.”