Coolmore’s “line-ball” Everest call between Storm Boy and Switzerland

UPDATE

Coolmore Australia has opted to go with Storm Boy for their slot in The Everest this weekend.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott colt will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla.

EARLIER

There is one slot left for The Everest, and time is running out.

Horses for 11 of the 12 slots have been finalised for the $20 million sprint which takes place at Randwick this coming Saturday.

Coolmore is still yet to make a call on its representative.

It is down to three-year-old colts Storm Boy, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, or Switzerland, trained by Chris Waller.

Waller admits it is a “line-ball call” given that Switzerland could also be targeted at the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington later in the spring.

The Snitzel colt returned to his best with a two-length win in the Group 2 Roman Consul at Rosehill on Saturday, making it from four wins from six career starts.

“He’s pulled up really well. He’s got his confidence back,” Waller said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up regarding Switzerland.

“He’s back on track, it’s as simple as that. He’s always been a very good horse.

“It might come down to saying his ratings are that high, he’s good enough to win a Coolmore where barrier draws (for the Flemington straight) aren’t as important.

“Or do we show the arrogance of trying to beat the older horses (in The Everest)?

“It’s a line-ball call. They (Coolmore) are in a very good position where they’ve also got Storm Boy.

“It’s an enviable position to be in, that’s for sure.”

Waller has already won The Everest twice with Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and Nature Strip in 2021.

He sees Switzerland being at a similar level to Yes Yes Yes who won the third edition of the lucrative sprint as a three-year-old colt.

“He’s a really good colt. We won it with Yes Yes Yes, and I’d certainly be putting him similar to that horse,” he added.

“He’s right up there with him in terms of ability.”

At the moment, Switzerland is rated at $11 with Sportsbet for The Everest while Storm Boy is $15.

The favourite is last year’s runner-up I Wish I Win at $5.50 ahead of star three-year-old Growing Empire ($6) and the ultra consistent Bella Nipotina ($6.50).