Santa Ana Lane to run for Coolmore in The Everest

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Santa Ana Lane has secured a slot for next month’s The Everest.

The five-time Group 1-winning sprinter will run in Coolmore’s slot in the $15 million showpiece and co-trainer Sam Freedman was delighted their stable star has locked in a spot in the race.

“We’re very privileged to have him run in his third Everest in a row,” Freedman said. “He’s come back in good form and he’ll run first-up Saturday.

“It’s good for Coolmore, they’re good clients of the stable and they’ve obviously waited and watched everything unfold and hopefully they’ve made the right decision.”

Santa Ana Lane was runner-up to Yes Yes Yes in last year’s race and was second in the G1 TJ Smith S. over the same course earlier this year, after winning the Group 1 feature in 2019 and Freedman believes he can turn the tables in this year’s edition of the race.

“His best performances have been in fast run races over 1200 metres around a bend or down the straight but I think, provided there is enough pressure on with a horse like Nature Strip, it could be set up for a horse coming off the speed this year, which is a bit different to what it’s been in previous years,” he said.

“With a strong speed, he should hopefully be closing off really well and his best pattern is running in his Grand Final second-up and he’ll get that heading into this race as well.

“We’ve kept this as his target regardless of whether he had a slot or not so it’s hugely rewarding for the whole stable and hopefully he runs well on Saturday with nice improvement heading into The Everest.”

The gelding will have his one and only lead-up run in the G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington on Saturday, the same lead-up he had for last year’s The Everest, and Freedman believes he is in good order ahead of his return but whatever he does this weekend, he will only improve on in his target race.

“He’s really well,” the co-trainer said. “He’s a very good track worker but it’s always hard to get a guide with him because we don’t do much with him at home.

“His trials have been very customary for him. He’s never been a real flash trailer but his latest one was very solid by his standards, so he’s in good order.

Watch: Santa Ana Lane trial (red and white sleeves)

“He’s fairly forward, The Everest is only in a couple of weeks so he’s got good improvement there. He’s probably 80 to 85 per cent fit at this stage but this run should top him off for that race.”

At 8-years-old, it’s likely Santa Ana Lane will be the most senior runner in the $15 million race but Freedman said his age is no concern for the stable.

“He’s not getting any younger and he’s probably not getting any faster but if he can reach close to his peak then he’s going to be right in the race,” he said. “He probably tapered off his form towards the end of his last campaign but we think we can get him back to his best.”

Back-to-back for Coolmore

Coolmore celebrated success in last year’s The Everest with Yes Yes Yes and they are hopeful they can make it back-to-back wins.

“Coolmore has a long-standing relationship with the Freedman family and we are delighted to partner with Anthony and Sam with Santa Ana Lane in this year’s Everest,” Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said.

“Santa Ana Lane is out of a Fastnet Rock mare and he is one of the best sprinters we have seen in the past decade.

“Anthony and Sam are very happy with the horse and we believe if he brings his best, he will be hard to beat.”

Santa Ana Lane is owned by the William Street Syndicate and they are hopeful it will be third time lucky for their superstar sprinter.

“It’s very exciting to have Santa Ana Lane in the race for the third time,” said William Street Syndicate co-manager Michael Clemenger.

“It’s great to join with Coolmore to race our five-time Group 1 winner and we are hopeful he can go one better than last year.”

As it stands