LOST And Running is set to become the first Everest runner to back up in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle and Randwick trainer John O'Shea says the gelding is ready to fire.
The five-year-old opened as the $2.80 TAB favourite on Thursday for November 13's 1300m quality handicap, which headlines Newcastle's annual standalone Saturday city meeting.
Lost And Running looms as a likely topweight in The Hunter, which could attract its strongest field to date.
The Kiwi-bred sprinter was two lengths away from winner Nature Strip in fourth in the $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 16. He backed up with a length and a quarter second to Everest placegetter Eduardo in the Classique Legend Stakes over 1300m at Rosehill two weeks later.
O'Shea said The Hunter was always in the plans for Lost And Running, which will have Hugh Bowman aboard, and he had thrived since his Rosehill run where he hit the line strongly.
"He'll be there," O'Shea said. "It's a nice race for him, a good track for him.
"It's a great race. You go through the horse who have won it, they are good horses.
"And we were always of the view that we'd look to the latter part of the carnival, so we made sure his best runs would be in the Everest, the Classique Legend and The Hunter.
"I'd say he'd improve again out of the Classique Legend. He's put on weight, that's why I don't want him going to the paddock."
As for the other features on the day, O'Shea said he would have colt Cotehele in the group 3 Spring Stakes.
Gytrash ($15) was another Everest runner in the TAB market for The Hunter but trainer Gordon Richards has returned home to South Australia with him after a 12th in the Classique Legend.
Second favourite at $8 was Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's Standout, which was third in the Classique Legend. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-prepared Dawn Passage was on the next line at $11 with Annabel Neasham-trained import Top Ranked. Part-owned by Hunter syndicators Australian Bloodstock, Top Ranked has yet to race in this country and may be saved for another target.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and Australian Bloodstock were second in the first two editions of The Hunter with Tactical Advantage (2019) and Special Reward (2020). Newcastle Newmarket winner Gem Song was their best in 2021 betting at $15, alongside defending champion Sweet Deal, I Am Superman, Kementari and Signore Fox.
Wandabaa, Special Reward, Countofmontecristo and Never Talk were Lees horses down in the market.
