Retirement for sprint queens such as Imperatriz, In Secret, Espiona and Zapateo has opened up the speed division ahead of a new season with a raft of fresh contenders in the mix to secure Everest slots this year including that horse from the West, who is already assured of a slot.
One of the most exciting new names in the sprinters division is three year-old Frosted (USA) gelding Bustling, who joined the Price Kent stable after being purchased from Western Australia earlier this year following brilliant wins in the Group III WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group II Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
His four length win in the Karrakatta Plate was on the same day Eastern States visitor Overpass won the Group I Winterbottom Stakes over the same trip and the times were pretty close. Overpass clocked 1:08.88 seconds and Bustling, who was then only a two year-old ran 1:09.06, which is the quickest running of that race this century with the only other two year-old to break 1.10 in that time being Amelia’s Jewel.
Michael Kent released a Tweet today of the stable’s Everest dark horse, who already has a slot for the richest sprint in the world and will be out to emulate the success of previous three year-old Everest winners Yes Yes Yes and Giga Kick.
Laying in wait for the x-factor three year-old will be established G1 sprinters such as I Wish I Win (6g), Overpass (6g), Private Eye (7g) and Bella Nipotina (7m) as well as Magic Time (5m) and Benedetta (5m), while last year’s Everest winner Think About It (6g) needs to find his mojo having not won in five starts since his Everest victory.
Lightly raced five year-old mare Sunshine in Paris had her autumn derailed by heavy tracks, but given firmer footing and an absence of injury could jump into contention this spring.
The four year-old mares group may offer up some serious contenders with the likes of Joliestar, Stefi Magnetica, Kimochi and possibly untapped Estriella all capable of stepping up into the WFA sprinting division.
