US Navy Flag sets up Everest tilt

US Navy Flag (right) will now be set for the $13m Everest in Sydney after his July Cup win.

US Navy Flag has won the July Cup at Newmarket to confirm a trip to Australia to contest the $13 million Everest.

Coolmore says the sprinter will take its slot in the 1200m-race at Randwick on October 13.

Having failed to establish himself as a miler this season following defeats in the French and Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, US Navy Flag led from the barriers under Ryan Moore to win the prestigious sprint.

“We were hoping he would put in a performance today as we have our eye on that race in Australia, so I’d imagine he would have a little rest now as he has had a tough time, and be trained for that,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said.

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Blue Point was sent off the 5-2 favourite, but could never get in a blow and had to settle for seventh while Australian Redkirk Warrior was 10th.

Godolphin’s Blue Point has also been touted as an Everest contender but trainer Charlie Appleby says he thinks he may be a 1000m-horse.

“He feels like he is a five-furlong horse, although he (William Buick) said at the five pole he would not be winning and the winner had got us all beat at halfway,” he said.

“The other thing he added is he is a horse that just seems to turn up at Ascot. I don’t disagree with him, as he does put up his best performances there.

“I will drop him back to five again and we will go for the Flying Five (at the Curragh), then look at finishing the season off at Ascot in the Champions Sprint.”