Mazu has a rare ability to thrive under the weight of expectation, and that is why he won’t let punters down in The Everest at Randwick on Saturday, according to co-trainer Paul Snowden.
The talented four-year-old gelding and $17 winning chance with Palmerbet carries good form into the $15 million sprint – the world’s richest race on turf.
He finished second in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes last start on October 1, less than half a length behind Lost And Running for John O’Shea, who is a $7 winning chance on Saturday.
The gelding also fought hard to finish fifth in The Shorts on September 17, just under 2 ½ lengths behind the great Nature Strip.
Chris Waller’s superstar eight-year-old is the $2 favourite for the Royal Randwick feature over 1200m, but Snowden believes Mazu can once again compete well with him.
“It’s the ability to absorb that pressure,” Snowden told Sky Racing.
“In an Everest situation there’s an abundance of pressure.
“But he seems to have the ability to absorb that and kick off the back of it.”
Slot holders Arrowfield and Star saw this quality in Mazu, which was why they were quick to secure him for the 2022 and 2023 editions of The Everest back in May.
“I think that’s why slot-holders Arrowfield and Star snapped him up so quick,” Snowden said.
“This has been a fantastic preparation for him.
“We’re very content with where we sit with him leading in to Saturday.”
Mazu was given barrier 11 at Tuesday night’s Everest draw.
It wasn’t ideal, but again Snowden mentioned his gelding’s ability to lift under challenging conditions.
“Importantly, the horse is in fantastic order and his runs leading up to, hopefully, what will be his personal best on Saturday,” he said.
“It’s going to have that rain affect on Saturday, depending what happens on Friday with the rain predicted.
“But we’ve got the ability to absorb pressure and we’ve performed on wet ground before.”
Mazu’s Odds In The 2022 Everest
The Everest – 
#5 Mazu (11)
4yo Gelding | T: P & P Snowden | J: Sam Clipperton (58.5kg)
$17.00 with Palmerbet
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