Invincible Star has nothing to prove against Redzel in Everest warm-up

INVINCIBLE Star has two key advantages over Redzel in Saturday’s Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick that she won’t enjoy on Everest Day but Adrian Bott has played down the pressure on her to win the race.

The four-year-old I Am Invincible mare will meet Redzel 2kg worse off in The Everest and the 1200m will suit the defending champion more, which is why critics believe if she can’t beat him on Saturday over a shorter trip, she faces an impossible mission on October 13.

But Bott and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse don’t see it that way.

“She gets good conditions on the weekend but we’re still a while away from the main prize so it’s still not D-Day for her on Saturday,” Bott said. “She’s got nothing to prove on Saturday but we’re going there confident of where she’s at and we expect her to run really well for us.

“The 1000m will suit and it will be a very good test for her but there will still be improvement to come.”

Invincible Star was snapped up for The Everest by slot holder GPI Racing after she put in a scintillating barrier trial at Randwick over 850m on August 13.

She beat home Zousain that day by 10 lengths in a lovely display of speed and she’ll be out to set the pace again on Saturday.

She has already won at Group 3 level and was second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) to star colt Merchant Navy. But she has never taken on a horse as tough and hardened as Redzel and he’s a $1.80 favourite to win the Concorde Stakes with Invincible Star the only other horse in single figures at $2.30.

“We’re delighted with her,” Bott said. “She had a nice gallop at Canterbury last week, which was her main piece of work. She trialled strongly and we gave her a good hitout in that trial so she was nice and forward for this run.

“The Everest is a big help in making these sprints even more competitive.”

Bott and Waterhouse will also line up Cabeza De Vaca and Sedanzer in the $250,000 Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“Cabeza De Vaca put in a really good run first-up and he’s proven at the track and distance so it will be a really nice race for him,” Bott said. “He’s ready to give it a shake.

“Sedanzer has a really good turn of foot, which means she’s well placed here, but we’re probably looking at stretching her up in trip.”

Meanwhile, Chris Waller says perennial bridesmaid Tom Melbourne is a good chance in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) after his superb trial form.

He only has to carry 55kg with Corey Brown on board but does have to beat a star-studded field, including Le Romain, Pierata and Lanciato.

“It’s more like a Group 1 field,” Waller said.