Ninja First to Confirm Everest Berth
Michael Freedman, trainer of the exciting young sprinter Ninja, has confirmed the horse as the initial entrant for the upcoming $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
A deal has been struck with slot-holder John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds, ensuring Ninja's participation in the world's richest turf race on October 17.
Ninja, who made a spectacular return to racing with a win in the Missile Stakes last month, is co-owned by My Racehorse and Camilleri, who also bred the talented gelding and kept a share.
With six weeks to go until The Everest, Ninja stands as the first of the twelve selected sprinters to secure a starting position.
The highly regarded Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising will resume in the Group 3 Chief Executive's Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. Assuming no issues arise, he is expected to enter quarantine after the race to confirm his spot in the Hong Kong Jockey Club's slot.
Freedman indicated that the Everest agreement for Ninja provides him with valuable "clarity" as he prepares the four-year-old for the significant Randwick sprint event.
"I mentioned to John before Ninja even ran in the Missile that I was really happy with how he is going,'' Freedman stated. "Of course, John is a breeder and part-owner of Ninja and he just said let's wait and see how he goes first-up.
"Then, The Everest became a realistic option so now he's locked in, we can plot a path to the race.
"It's nice to have that clarity but to be fair if he didn't get a slot, I was planning to get him ready for the Sydney Stakes on the same day.''
Camilleri expressed his pleasure regarding the arrangement that has secured Ninja a place in The Everest.
"I have had my heart set on him for a few months now,'' Camilleri commented.
"I've always thought he was more a sprinter rather than a mile.
"So, we have come full circle in a way. I bred the horse, retained a share in him and now he can run in the Fairway Thoroughbreds slot with My Racehorse.''
Ben Willis, the managing director of My Racehorse, noted that Ninja has an impressive 1700 part-owners.
"What The Everest has done is create conversation, innovation and has brought a new fan base into racing,'' Willis remarked.
"When you look here on Everest Day, it is filled with a young audience and new people to the sport.
"There are great synergies with what we have tried to develop from about five years ago when we first launched and that is to bring a new audience into racing.
"To have a horse running in a $20 million race, the world's richest race on turf, is pretty special for My Racehorse.
"It validates what we are trying to do from a product perspective and that is to provide an opportunity to run in the best races in the world.''
In the initial TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Everest, Ka Ying Rising is the overwhelming $1.50 favourite. Tempted is next at $9, followed by Guest House at $11, Joliestar at $13, with Ninja priced at $15.
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