Trainer Danny Williams’ dream for Shelby Sixtysix just has to be The Everest after the autumn fairytale they shared, and it all starts in the group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The horseman in Williams looks at the thoroughbred in front of him and knows he has the best base from which to work towards The Everest that he could hope for with his Galaxy winner, but, like always with Shelby Sixtysix, only racing will get him there.
Danny Williams with his star Shelby Sixtysix, which returns in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.Credit:Jamila Toderas
“We are very happy with the horse; it’s the best he has ever come back into the stable,” Williams said. “There are no issues with his feet, which have nearly always been there throughout his career.
“There are no corns, no quarter cracks, no abscesses.
“There are no soundness issues, but he needs racing. You won’t see a fatter horse there on Saturday, even though he has had three trials.”
Shelby Sixtysix returns against Eduardo, who he gave a fright to in the Challenge Stakes, and Masked Crusader, which both already hold Everest slots. The Goulburn galloper is next in the weights to them as a group 1 winner and will carry plenty of sentimental money at around $20 mark.
The country influence on Shelby Sixtysix continues. Williams took him to Moruya and Wagga for his official trials, and both times the six-year-old had a good blow.
“Nick Heywood got off him at Wagga last time and said he really needed it,” Williams said. “The hard thing with him is getting him fit and, when you’re taking on these type of horses, you need to be at your peak.
“I will be happy to see him finding the line on Saturday. There is lengths of improvement in him, because he has always been a horse that races himself into form.
“I had to give him a good track gallop at Goulburn on Tuesday morning, and it has really helped him. But knowing him, there is nothing like racing.
“Now he has to race in these type of races because he is a group 1 horse, but we all know he will give his all.
“If he can get into his routine of racing, of coming home and swimming and then racing again, he can make it to The Everest.”
Eduardo will start favourite for the Concorde Stakes as he hopes to make it third-time lucky in The Everest.
“I think this is his best opportunity to win an Everest because he’s heavier than he’s ever been,” Pride said. “He is fresh and ready to go and always runs well fresh.”
Williams has an eye on the other race on Everest day when he starts Prince Nicconi in Saturday’s Highway Handicap overThe Kosciuszko’s 1200m course.
“The Kosciuszko is a race that as a country trainer you want to have a runner in, and it would be the right time for Prince Nicconi to show he is up to it,” Williams said. “He has been going really and, with the right breaks, can be in the finish.
“I also have Jalmari in the in the Highway. He is the best horse in the race but has plenty of weight, and I think you will see his best when he steps up in trip.”
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