Redzel early favourite for The Shorts

Redzel has moved to outright favouritism in early markets on the Group Two Shorts at Randwick.

Redzel is not assured of a start in The Everest but he is favoured over two confirmed runners to win the Group Two Shorts at Randwick.

When the TAB opened its all-in market on Monday for Saturday’s 1100m-sprint, Redzel, Chautauqua and English were all at $3.50.

By the afternoon, Redzel, a last-start winner of the Concorde Stakes, was into $3.20 with the other two steady at their opening price.

Chautauqua runs for his owners in the $10 million Everest (1200m) on October 14 and is the favourite while English has been allocated the TAB’s slot in the subscription-only race.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel, winner of the Group One Doomben 10,000 earlier this year, is one of five horses in contention for the slot held by the Australian Turf Club.

Chautauqua will be having his first start since he ran down English to win his third successive TJ Smith Stakes in April when he runs in The Shorts.

He will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla who has also secured the ride for The Everest with Tommy Berry committed to riding in Hong Kong on that day.

Under the set weights and penalties conditions of The Shorts, Redzel and Chautauqua both carry 58kg.

TJ Smith third placegetter Fell Swoop, who will run for William Inglis and Son in The Everest, is also among the 12 nominations for The Shorts and is an $11 chance in first markets.