News

Santa claws his way to victory and Everest favouritism

29th Sep 2018

Inglis’ slot representative in The Everest, Santa Ana Lane, is the new $7 TAB favourite for the $13m race following his determined victory in today’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick.

The Anthony Freedman-trained 6YO settled towards the rear of the field for jockey Ben Melham, who stuck to the inside and charged for a thrilling yet narrow victory over stablemate Shoals.

In running 1:07.45, Santa Ana Lane set a new 1200m Randwick track record.

Freedman said he was now faced with the challenge of getting Santa Ana Lane back to Randwick for The Everest in the same peak fitness and health as he was today.

“We knew the horse was going really well and he’s run very good time,’’ Freedman said.

“The next fortnight, it’s more what we don’t do with him than what we do do with him. We’ll keep him fresh, a bit of swimming, a bit of beach time, just get him over this run and then we’ll look at the next week.’’

Santa Ana Lane was an $80,000 buy for Justin Bahen and Troy Corstens of Flemington Bloodstock at the 2014 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, from the Rosemont Stud draft.

Santa Ana Lane is raced by The William Street Syndicate, a bunch of mainly Melbourne-based passionate racing fans who have raced horses for 40 years.

Syndicate representative Michael Clemenger described today’s victory as “unbelievable’’.

“I know his grand final is in a fortnight but this is an amazing victory for him second-up, an amazing feeling,’’ Clemenger said.

“He was the forgotten horse again today, punters let him go around at double figure odds but maybe now he’ll finally start to get some of the recognition he deserves.

“I’d like to thank Inglis for putting their faith in us and in this horse. Bring on The Everest!’’

The $13m The Everest is run at Randwick on Saturday October 13.