Shinzo still in $20m The Everest contention

Golden Slipper winner Shinzo will be given a crucial barrier trial test next week to determine whether he presses on to the $20 million The Everest.

The colt was found to be lame after his unplaced run behind Chris Waller-trained stablemate Militarize in the Golden Rose when he settled last from an awkward draw and made late headway to be beaten just over 2-1/2 lengths.

Tom Magnier, representing owners Coolmore, said Shinzo had genuine excuses first-up and if he trialled to the satisfaction of connections at Rosehill on Tuesday, he could still line up for them in the premier sprint on October 14.

“He will trial next Tuesday and we’ll make a decision then about the Everest,” Magnier told RSN radio.

“We didn’t get to see the real him last weekend.

“The barrier didn’t help, he was very far back. You learn from these things, maybe we should have had a run beforehand, I don’t know.

“But we accept where we’re at and Chris (Waller) is very confident this is a very, very special horse with a lot of ability so we will see how he goes on Tuesday.”

Two more Everest slots have been confirmed this week with In Secret announced as Godolphin’s representative and her barn mate and Golden Rose placegetter Cylinder snapped up by James Harron, who lost his original selection Giga Kick to injury.

Sunshine In Paris was ruled out of the feature on Tuesday due to a minor leg issue, putting her slot holders Aquis back on the lookout for a runner.

Magnier said Coolmore hadn’t finalised a Plan B should Shinzo fail to please them on Tuesday, but he was comfortable with their position.

“There are plenty of good horses out there to think about, but at the moment we’re still thinking about Shinzo so we haven’t gone past that,” he said.

Coolmore had some good news earlier this week, securing the purchase of John Singleton’s former Strawberry Hill Stud on the NSW Central Coast.

Magnier described the acquisition as “a world-class facility” that would complement their foundation Australian property in the Hunter Valley.