THE easy decision for owner John Messara, the Arrowfield Stud supremo, would have been to retire Shoals to stud at the end of last season.

Shoals was already a triple Group 1 winner and with her exemplary bloodlines, she was as valuable as any broodmare prospect in the southern hemisphere.

But Messara’s ambition was to try and win the $13 million The TAB Everest (1200m) with Shoals so after careful consideration any plans to retire her were put on hold for at least 12 months.

At Royal Randwick on Saturday, Shoals lines up in The Everest and late Friday she was joint favourite with Redzel at $7 with TAB Fixed Odds.

“We decided not to retire Shoals at the end of last season because she is still very lightly raced and we felt we hadn’t seen the best of her on the track, despite her great race record,’’ Messara said.

“I think that assessment has been vindicated by her last-start effort when she was only narrowly beaten in the Premiere Stakes in track record time.

“It seems she has gone to another level as a four-year-old mare this spring.

“Our trainer, Anthony Freedman thinks she is absolutely perfect so I am hoping for a really good performance. It is very exciting to have a runner in The Everest.’’

Shoals finished her three-year-old season with seven wins from 10 starts including Group 1 wins in the Myer Classic, Surround Stakes and Sangster Stakes.

Although she has been beaten into the minor placings in her two runs this spring, both have been very good efforts in races run in track record time.

Shoals resumed with a closing third to Nature Strip in the McEwen Stakes before she was beaten narrowly by stablemate Santa Ana Lane in the Premiere Stakes.

“She is in top form and Anthony (Freedman) has done a good job timing her preparation for The Everest,’’ Messara said. “The (betting) market says she will be in the finish so we are hoping. The wet track hasn’t done her any harm, either.’’

Messara is no stranger to big race success but this could be a special day as Arrowfield Stud now own 50 per cent of three-year-old sensation The Autumn Sun, the $1.90 favourite for the $2 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.

The Autumn Sun has won four of his five starts including two at Group 1 level, highlighted by his outstanding effort in the Golden Rose last start.

Arrowfield negotiated to purchase a 50 per cent controlling interest in The Autumn Sun earlier this week in a deal breeding experts estimate to value the colt at around $30 million.

The Autumn Sun is racing the anti-clockwise direction for the first time but Messara said trainer Chris Waller was buoyed by the colt’s impressive track gallop at Caulfield earlier this week.

Waller said The Autumn Sun has “done everything right” since his impressive Golden Rose win.

“He is all class, on and off the track,’’ Waller said. “He has got a great temperament and he is very athletic. I am very excited about his future and the mile should suit (today). He got around Caulfield very well on Tuesday morning.’’

Waller and Messara both agreed barrier five was a real advantage for The Autumn Sun.

“I know he has to get around Caulfield for the first time and that can be tricky for Sydney horses which is why the barrier is important,’’ Messara said.

“He should be able to find a position with some cover and you know he will be strong at the end of 1600m.’’

Messara also shares in the ownership of the very speedy Snitty Kitty, one of the main chances in the Group 2 $400,000 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

“Snitty Kitty is a great little mare and she is super quick out of the barriers,’’ Messara said. “She’s drawn a perfect barrier (two) for her and will run well.’’