He never trials well Gytrashs iffy Everest tune-up not a concern for trainer

Everest hope Gytrash continued his lead-up to the $15 million race with a trial on Tuesday that trainer Gordon Richards described as only “satisfactory without being sensational”.

Gytrash hit the line fairly in an 800m trial at Warwick Farm. Fellow Everest hopes Nature Strip, Libertini and likely Coolmore representative Home Affairs will have exhibition gallops at Rosehill races on Wednesday.

Gytrash was “satisfactory without being sensational” in an 800m trial on Tuesday.Credit:Getty

Richards was not blown away watching the trial live but was more than comfortable with the work after watching the replay a few times and speaking with jockey Josh Adams.

“I wasn’t overawed by it initially, but he never trials well,” Richards said.

“After watching the replay and talking with the jockey, I’m satisfied he did what we needed him to do.

“It would have been nice to win by three or four lengths, but it’s only a trial.

“We didn’t want to jump near the lead or sit outside the leader. We wanted him back and chasing. The leaders were held together and had a kick in the straight when he tried to run them down.

“He hit the line well but more importantly pulled up well.

“He needed the hit-out because it would have been a month between a race.

Trainer Gordon Richards and Gytrash.Credit:Ashlea Brennan

“I’m happy without being elated . . . it was satisfactory without being sensational. Let’s face it, it wasn’t a race, and you want him saving his best for Saturday week. He’s well in himself.”

Gytrash finished third behind Classique Legend and Bivouac in last year’s Everest, and had no luck finishing third upon resuming in The Shorts last month behind Eduardo and Nature Strip.

He will gallop again on Saturday followed by a “really good hit-out” next Tuesday, when he is likely to be steered by regular jockey Jason Collett. Richards was happy for Gytrash to work solo but said it would be a bonus if his chestnut had the chance to work alongside another top-liner.

Richards has been based at Randwick the past five weeks with his wife, Jacqui, and made the trek to Warwick Farm each day. The more pressing concern, he said, would be getting a decent haircut before Saturday week’s race.

Nature Strip and Home Affairs will work over 900m together between races at Rosehill on Wednesday. The latter is nominated for the Roman Consul Stakes on Saturday but is expected to be named as Coolmore’s runner in The Everest with Glen Boss in the saddle.

Libertini had a pulse on her foot a couple of weeks ago, but her work since has pleased trainer Anthony Cummings.

“She had a jump-out last Friday on the Kenso, worked on Monday and will have an 800m gallop on the big [Rosehill] circuit on Wednesday,” Cummings said.

Cummings is hoping to land Saturday’s group 1 Spring Champion Stakes with filly Chill, which will back up from her fifth in the Flight Stakes.

Chill is closely related to Hotel Grand and Outback Prince, two colts Cummings trained to win and run second in the Randwick feature.

“The step up to the 2000m will give her the chance to be more competitive, and certainly on pedigree that should be the case,” he said.

“Alysha [Collett] stays on board. She was impressed with her last week, so we head there with a bit of expectation.”

Meanwhile, the James Cummings-trained Anamoe drew barrier 15 for Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas but remains the $2.50 favourite.

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