Mazu begins second Everest quest in The Shorts

Peter and Paul Snowden have been content to play the long game with class sprinter Mazu and that patience could be rewarded as he begins his second Everest quest this spring.

With a slot in the $20 million showpiece locked up, Mazu will kick off his campaign in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday following the same template as he did 12 months earlier.

Mazu finished fifth to Nature Strip in the corresponding race last year before placing in the Premiere Stakes and The Everest, but where 12 months ago he was bouncing out of his three-year-old season, this time around he is a fully mature five-year-old with two campaigns of top-level racing under his belt.

“There’s not a lot of change, but he’s a little bit stronger and a bit heavier,” co-trainer Peter Snowden said.

“He had a really good grounding last prep. He raced in some tough races and came out the other side so I’m expecting him to be a bit tougher this time in.”

While several rivals need to showcase their Everest credentials in The Shorts, Mazu heads to the race under little pressure and no fanfare.

He is forward enough to give the race a shake but from barrier 10, Snowden is keen to see him find his feet and be charging to the line.

“There are a lot of horses there trying to get a slot, this horse has got a slot, so there’s still pressure on him to run well but he can take his time getting there rather than trying to impress everyone every time he steps out. He’s got that luxury,” Snowden said.

“But he’s forward enough to run well and we’d be disappointed if he doesn’t run well.

“You’ll probably see him midfield, about three pairs back. We’ll ride him to get a bit of cover and hopefully he can finish off.”

Mazu’s versatility is arguably one of his biggest assets.

He runs on any ground, can camp on-speed or drift back if the tempo is hot.

He hasn’t won since claiming the Doomben 10,000 in the autumn of last year but has placed in five of his eight subsequent runs, including last year’s Everest and this year’s Doomben 10,000, both won by 2023 Everest favourite Giga Kick.

If he can land a good gate and rain-affected ground on October 14, he might just find that half-length to get his nose in front.

“Anything can happen. In the Everest he drew eleven, in the 10,000 he drew twelve, he’s just had bad gates in good races,” Snowden said.

“If it was to be heavy on Everest day and he drew one to four that would really enhance his chances.”

Mazu is a $14 chance for The Shorts and $15 for The Everest (1200m).