Warrior chases Everest spot at Flemington

Trainer David Hayes will decide after Flemington which horse will run for The Star in the Everest.

The Everest picture will become clearer for Lindsay Park after the Bobbie Lewis Stakes at Flemington.

The result of Saturday’s 1200m Group Two race will determine which of their sprinters represents Sydney casino The Star in the $10 million Everest at Randwick next month.

Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior has been long favoured for the slot and makes his spring return in the 1200m contest.

But Vega Magic, unbeaten in two starts this campaign including the Group One Memsie Stakes, is waiting in the wings and won’t be running in Saturday’s Group One Makybe Diva Stakes.

Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes said there had been plenty of interest from slot holders in Vega Magic since his Caulfield win.

“There’s people queued up wanting him,” Hayes said.

“There’ll be a decision made after the Bobbie Lewis which horse runs for who.”

Having raced in Hong Kong, Redkirk Warrior defied history by becoming the first horse for 100 years to win the Newmarket Handicap first-up over Saturday’s course in March.

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“He’s had a preparation to run very well in his return run,” Hayes said.

Redkirk Warrior is among 16 nominations which include Chautauqua, Voodoo Lad and Perth galloper Scales Of Justice.

Redkirk Warrior has been installed the $2.60 favourite ahead of Scales Of Justice at $4.40 with Chautauqua, who is more certain to run in Sydney, and Voodoo Lad at $5.50.

With Vega Magic not among the 18 nominations for the Makybe Diva Stakes, Lindsay Park has Seaburge, Ventura Storm, He Or She and Jacquinot Bay entered to tackle Hartnell, Black Heart Bart, Hey Doc, Jon Snow, Le Romain and Tavago.

Hayes said Seaburge and Ventura Storm were their likely runners.

Seaburge wasn’t suited by the tempo when last in the Memsie Stakes while Hayes was impressed by Ventura Storm’s first-up run in the Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield.

Hayes said Saturday’s races, which all carry black-type status, was an important spring meeting.

“You want to be running well with your horses and for them to certainly be on the improve,” Hayes said.

“Turnbull day is probably a bigger day but this meeting is certainly important with Group races being run all day.”