THE final field for the $13 million TAB Everest is complete with Godolphin’s Home Of The Brave being selected to contest the world’s richest turf race.

Australian Turf Club chose Home Of The Brave for its slot, securing the last starting position in the elite 12-horse field. This came just hours after slot-holder Damion Flower secured in-form mare Viddora for the big race.

The club’s decision to select Home Of The Brave is seen as a strategic one and designed to help increase The Everest’s international profile by having the world’s most powerful racing stable, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Godolphin competing in the big race.

Godolphin’s Australian managing director Vin Cox said his team is “excited to see the royal blue colours” competing in The Everest.

“It is a fitting acknowledgment of Godolphin’s commitment to Sydney and Australian racing,’’ Cox said. “We have no doubt the annual running of The Everest will become one of the most anticipated events on the Australian racing calendar.’’

Tommy Berry has been booked to ride Home Of The Brave in the big race. The Godolphin sprinter is $15 in early TAB Fixed Odd betting. Santa Ana Lane, Trapeze Artist and Vega Magic share Everest favouritism at $7.

Home Of The Brave goes to The Everest after a brilliant win in the Group 2 Theo Mark Stakes and then his close fourth to Jungle Cat in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Trainer James Cummings said with the possibility of some rain and “cut” in the ground for The Everest, Home Of The Brave would have conditions to suit.

“The great thing about a race like The Everest is that it captures a wider audience other than just racing enthusiasts,” Cummings said. “It is great for the whole team to have a horse in such a big race. It would be a feather in the cap of the team for a horse like him to perform well in a race like this.”

Lloyd Kennewell, the former Adelaide trainer who moved to Melbourne at the start of his season and set up stables at Caulfield, said he was relieved to finally get a deal done with Everest slot-holder Damion Flower.

“I took my staff to dinner (Tuesday night) when Damion and I reached an agreement,’’ Kennewell said. “It must have got out on social media straight away because everyone’s phones starting going off. Viddora does have a massive cult following.’’

Kennewell said he won’t be changing anything with Viddora’s preparation for next week’s Everest and confirmed the mare’s regular jockey Joe Bowditch would ride the mare in the big race.

“I wouldn’t go into battle with anyone else,’’ Kennewell said. “Joe knows this mare and will give her every hope.’’

Viddora is a dual Group 1 winner of nine races and more than $2.3 million prizemoney. She is in outstanding form, winning the Group 1 Moir Stakes last Friday night, defeating Everest rival Brave Smash.

“We were on the radar for The Everest but not in the field so we wanted to showcase what Viddora could do in the Moir,’’ Kennewell said.

“In fairness, Brave Smash will be peaking for The Everest, but he challenged her and tried to surge 200m out but I thought she held him pretty comfortably the last 75m.

“She is a Group 1 winner of the Winterbottom Stakes at 1200m beating the Everest favourite Santa Ana Lane (sixth) so we going to Sydney with a fair bit of confidence.’’

Kennewell said Viddora will have her final fast gallop at Caulfield next Tuesday before being sent to Sydney next Thursday night.

“She will have her final gallop at home on Tuesday morning,’’ he said. “We just need to maintain her now. She will see a bit of the beach over the next few days.’’

Kennewell has no fears with Viddora galloping in the clockwise-direction in The Everest.

“I think she should be unbeaten the Sydney way,’’ the trainer said.

“She was just beaten at Eagle Farm one day when it was a leader’s paradise then at the Gold Coast she charged home from nowhere to just miss before she won at the Gold Coast (Magic Millions Sprint) this year.’’