Airman claims The Everest scalps in Premiere Stakes

The Hawkes Racing-trained Airman has scored a boilover win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, upstaging Everest contenders Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick, along with reigning champion Think About It.

Starting a $41 bookmakers outsider in the seven-horse field, Airman charged along the rails for Zac Lloyd and survived a late surge from Mazu to prevail by a neck with Bella Nipotina the same margin away third.

Giga Kick finished fourth and Think About It sixth after the latter was jagged back to last in what turned out to be a moderately-run race, Think About It’s trainer Joe Pride describing it as “an absolute trainwreck to watch”.

“They’ve just gone so slowly in that race, which is unusual,” Pride told stewards.

“He has run well my horse, but he’s got no chance from there.”

Given the calibre of some of the scalps Airman claimed, co-trainer Michael Hawkes said he would welcome any Everest interest.

“Talk to us. We’ve got no problems in talking to anybody,” Hawkes said.

“He’s up there with them. He’s proven he can do it. Why not?”

Bella Nipotina showed she was right on target for the Everest in two weeks with another competitive run, while James Mcdonald said Giga Kick was open to improvement.

“A common run but he will improve. He is building toward something. It was an OK run,” McDonald said.