Cavanough needs Monstar effort in Premiere

A month after touting The Virginian for a slot in the $10 million Everest, trainer Brett Cavanough is now wary of taking on confirmed starters for the world’s richest race on turf.

The case for The Virginian never gained traction and his more experienced stablemate The Monstar is consigned to take on Chautauqua, English and Fell Swoop in Saturday’s Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

“I wish the Everest wasn’t around,” Cavanough said. “Half of them would be down in Melbourne and not here annoying us.

“This just tells you what The Everest is doing for racing.

“One thing Racing NSW has done is attract the best sprinters in Australia to Randwick for the last four or five weeks.”

The Monstar will be having his first start since running last of four behind Everest starter Redzel in the Group Three Concorde Stakes at Randwick on September 2.

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Cavanough said he had no choice but to line The Monstar up in the Premiere.

“He’s rated 105. I don’t have any other options. There’s nothing in the country and he’s weighted out of handicaps in town,” Cavanough said.

“Obviously he’s in the deep end, but what do you do with a 105 rater?”

The Monstar owes his rating to a consistent career that features 11 wins including the Listed Razor Sharp and June Stakes, plus a dozen placings from 41 starts.

Although he knows the Premiere will be tough, Cavanough takes heart from Trapeze Artist’s unexpected triumph in last weekend’s Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill.

“You’ve just got to to look at the Rose – a 40 to 1 shot won it. Sometimes you’ve just got to be there,” he said.

Cavanough will also have Knockout Girl and Knieval racing in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and Breeders’ Plate (1000m) respectively, Sydney’s first two-year-old races of the season.