Mazu won The Shorts at Randwick in a surprise victory that revived the eight-year-old’s hopes of securing a place in the $20 million Everest, although trainer Joe Pride remains unconvinced that the race is the right target for him.
Sent off at $19 for the $1 million, 1100m sprint, Mazu led throughout under Rachel King and held Joliestar by a neck. King’s Secret, also trained by Pride, finished a nose further back in third.
The result came as attention centred on Joliestar and Headwall, both considered Everest contenders. Headwall finished fifth, a length from the winner, after making late ground on the leaders’ track.
Mazu benefited from the fast surface and was allowed to dictate the tempo without a serious challenge for the lead. It was his first start of the campaign and a notable return to form after previous Everest appearances that yielded third place in 2022, 11th in 2023 and ninth last year.
Pride, who trained Think About It to victory in the 2023 Everest, said any decision on Mazu’s participation would rest with the owner.
“It’s not my call, really. It’s the owner’s call,” Pride said. “I want to go where I can win.”
He added: “He’s had a few goes in the Everest and it’s not really his race. On a day when it’s wet, he will probably be in the contest, but other than that, running a nice sixth or seventh doesn’t interest me a lot.”
Mazu has won the Hall Mark Stakes three times since joining Pride after previously being trained by Peter Snowden. His victory in The Shorts was his first in a race worth $1 million, despite his reputation for being difficult to handle before a race.
“Sometimes he’ll stop two or three times on the way to the gates. He’s going to get me sooner or later,” Pride said.
“He’s funny, isn’t he? He’s so reluctant to get there but then so quick to get home. He’s a terrific old horse. He really is.”
King said Mazu had been overlooked by his rivals once he secured the lead, despite his long record of consistency.
“They should never forget about him, he’s so honest,” she said. “I know he only tends to win that one race a year, he’s just rewritten that now, so he deserves another good one because he is just a model of consistency.”
Ka Ying Rising, last year’s Everest winner, and Ninja, who finished ninth in The Shorts, remained the only confirmed runners for this year’s race. Joliestar appeared to have strengthened her case for Chris Waller’s Everest slot with her first run back from a campaign in Britain.
Pride said Mazu and King’s Secret could instead be aimed at the Premiere Stakes, the Sydney Stakes or the Russell Balding Stakes, with King’s Secret potentially having more scope for improvement from his return.
