Zoustar colts puts hand up for a start in The Everest with Flemington win.
With Yulong Investments holding a slot in The Everest, Growing Empire may have put his hand up for a start in the $20 million race next month with his win in Saturday's Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemington.
The Zoustar colt earned rave reviews from star jockey Mark Zahra after his dominant win in the 1100-metre event.
"He's as exciting a sprinter and young horse as I've ever ridden," Zahra, who won a Coolmore Stud Stakes on Merchant Navy, said.
"Off his trials, any horse that can flow along off the bit and have a good turn-of-foot suits my riding and he gives me a really good feel.
"He's got all the attributes of a really good horse."
Growing Empire, a $700,000 Inglis Easter purchase who is out of the Snitzel mare Miles Of Krishan, defeated another Yulong-owned colt – First Settler – by 1-1/4 lengths with King Of Roseau the same margin back third.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said he would sit down with the Yulong team to discuss options for Growing Empire who has the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day as a long-term target.
"They (three-year-olds) do have a good record in it (The Everest)," Maher said.
"The Coolmore was the aim, and there have been other horses, and I think Home Affairs went to both and ended up winning a Coolmore.
"Maybe another run wouldn't hurt (before The Everest if he went there), but it's certainly a good problem to have."
Growing Empire tightened into $9 in TAB's market on The Everest, while he is ruling $2.80 favourite for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, which will be run two weeks later on November 2.
