Jacquinot has rocketed into contention for a slot in the $15 million Everest after unleashing a withering finish to upstage Sydney’s best three-year-olds in the Group 1 Golden Rose.
In doing so, he became the first Victorian-trained horse since Toorak Toff in 2010 to win the coveted race and while the stable’s original plan was the Caulfield Guineas, co-trainer Mick Price says he is open to running the colt in The Everest.
“Jacquinot will go to The Everest if we get a run,” Price said from Melbourne.
“I know Jacquinot has to take on the best sprinters in The Everest and it would be a very tough job, but I would still ask it of him.
“I honestly think the Caulfield Guineas at 1600m is a difficult task, so I would be taking up The Everest if the owners want to take it up.”
Coolmore is among the Everest slot holders not to have filled their post and their Australian principal Tom Magnier was one of the first to approach Price’s training partner Michael Kent Junior after Saturday’s Golden Rose.
Magnier later confirmed his interest in Jacquinot as an Everest runner, with the colt bred and part-owned by Linsday Maxsted, who is Coolmore Australia’s chairman.
“Lindsay is our chairman at Coolmore but he’s not here today. I think he is regretting that now,” Magnier said.
“As for The Everest 2022, we will definitely have a look at it with Jacquinot.”
A first-up winner of the McNeil Stakes in Melbourne, Jacquinot ($6.50) settled midfield for Damian Lane and faced a herculean task at the top of the straight as Zou Tiger, Golden Mile and In Secret looked set to fight out the race.
Just as In Secret ($2.30 fav) got up on the inside and stuck her head in front, Jacquinot emerged from nowhere, storming down the outside to blouse the Godolphin filly by a half-neck with Zou Tiger ($51) a brave third and Golden Mile ($7) fourth.
Kent Junior was on course at Rosehill and couldn’t believe his eyes.
“What a win. They don’t normally do that,” Kent Junior said
“As a two-year-old, he was always the horse who was going to improve the most.
“He was awesome first-up and a real set play by Mick (Price) and the team to come here second-up with the trial, keep the speed in his legs. He’s not a robust horse so I’m just delighted.”
James McDonald was proud of In Secret saying “she ran enormous” while John O’Shea was thrilled to see Zou Tiger bounce back after a disappointing lead-up run in the Ming Dynasty Quality.
“He’s a top colt and he’s got a big race in him,” O’Shea said.
Golden Slipper winner Fireburn had to go a long way back from an outside gte but was charging late to finish an eye-catching fifth.