Ryan coy about Rose favourite for Everest

Menari is favourite to win the Golden Rose, but could be chasing a bigger prize in the Everest.

Gerald Ryan is open to Menari occupying a slot for The Everest though he concedes the $10 million sprint could be beyond the talented colt.

“I’m not a big rap on three-year-olds at this time of year against older horses but looking at him, he’s a big strong horse, he’s 570 kilos, he carries 53 (kilos) and he can run the sectional times,” Ryan said.

“If you’re going to have a three-year-old colt have a crack at the older horses, perhaps he’s the one.”

There are four slots still available for the $10 million Everest at Randwick on October 14.

Menari is a short-priced favourite to claim the Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday.

A win in the $1 million race would confirm Menari’s worth as a valuable stallion prospect but Ryan says it’s not going to be as easy as the colt’s $2 quote suggests it could be.

“Pariah is going to be hard to beat, the horse that’s come up from Melbourne (Merchant Navy) is going to be hard to beat,” Ryan said.

“Gai’s horse (Gold Standard) won the Stan Fox, he’s in great form.”

Ryan also rated Chauffeur, whom he trained before the gelding transferred to the Hawkes Racing stable.

“With a firm track and and a hot pace up front, he’ll be hitting the line hard.”

Ryan is yet to formulate a plan with jockey Josh Parr, with both horsemen comfortable about Menari’s versatility from barrier 11.

“He’s a horse you can use his speed or he can sit back and he’s got a terrific turn of foot,” Ryan said.

Parr added he would assess how the track played in earlier races on the before settling on tactics when he jumps flanked by Gold Standard and Pariah.

“He’s got really good barrier speed, and if we do decide to go forward there’s going to be someone to go across with you.

“The beauty of him is he’s adaptable.”

Menari seeks to emulate the last three Golden Rose winners Hallowed Crown, Exosphere and Astern, who triumphed after scoring the Run To The Rose.

Parr thought the double was achievable given Menari’s development.

“Last preparation he was a young colt that had all this this power and wasn’t sure how to use it,” Parr said.

“This time the stable have done a fantastic job to turn him out.