Wollongong co-owner Peter Piras believes his beloved Redzel will secure a hat-trick of wins in The Everest. Because he's got that straight from the horse's mouth.
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Redzel can join the illustrious company of three-time Melbourne Cup champion Makybe Diva if he tastes success at Randwick on Saturday.
If you believe in omens, the seven-year-old gelding will complete the milestone. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel won last month's Concorde Stakes for the third straight year.
"He's a very smart horse who will answer most of your questions. I've asked him three different times and he said [each time] he's going to win it," Piras said.
"It's all looking really good, he's in great nick and on track again."
"He'll be looking a million dollars when you see him on Saturday and he's as cheeky as ever. He's already won the Concorde and each time he's done that, he's won The Everest."
Standing in Redzel's way is the highly fancied gelding, Pierata. The five-year-old, trained by Gregory Hickman, ran second in the Concorde Stakes but won The Shorts at Randwick three weeks ago. Redzel finished third.
"I said from day one that Pierata would be our main danger. Last year, I also said Trapeze Artist would be a threat [he finished second," Piras said.
"But Redzel's a very special horse. He has a will to win and a big heart, he also has a big motor.
"He has lovely people like the Snowdens around him -they've done an amazing job.
"Redzel's got his own unique style. He goes out, runs blistering sectionals and then puts it away. If he goes out too hard, that's when he gets undone.
"If he plays it right, he wins the race. No matter what. Those first 200 metres are critical."
He's a very special horse. He has a will to win and a big heart.
- Peter Piras
If Redzel salutes on Saturday, you can all but guarantee that the camera will pan straight to Piras.
His own story has become legendary in the racing world. He was diagnosed with leukaemia more than 20 years ago, undergoing painful and aggressive treatment for it ever since.
A hat-trick of wins at The Everest would provide a nice distraction for the Wollongong resident.
"It would mean the world to me, considering everything I've been through," Piras said.
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