Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Written by Bren O'Brien
Emerging star sprinter Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has secured a slot in the 2020 TAB Everest, with the TAB electing to select the John O'Shea-trained 4-year-old to run in the $15 million race in October.
Lost And Running, a winner of six of his seven starts, including the Listed Luskin Star S. at Rosehill last month in impressive fashion, becomes the third horse locked in for the world's richest sprint, which will be held on October 16.
Six-time Group 1 winner Nature Strip (Nicconi) has been selected by Chris Waller Racing for its slot, while Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) has been locked in by the Max Whitby/Neil Werrett partnership. It is also highly probable that defending champion Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) will run in the slot held by his owner Bon Ho.
TAB, as it tends to do, moved quickly to shore up its pick for the race in the progressive New Zealand-bred sprinter.
"We are delighted to have secured the services of Australia’s most exciting sprinter (Lost And Running) for what has rapidly risen to become the world’s richest and most competitive sprint race." - Adam Rytenskild
"We are delighted to have secured the services of Australia’s most exciting sprinter for what has rapidly risen to become the world’s richest and most competitive sprint race," Tabcorp Managing Director Wagering and Media, Adam Rytenskild, said.
"TAB is proud to have been associated with The Everest since the first running and we think we have secured the right horse to win it. We look forward to sharing the ride with our customers as we count down to the big race at Randwick on October 16."
Lost And Running was purchased for $40,000 by O'Shea from the Blandford Lodge draft at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Breeder Lib Petagna remained in the ownership which also includes Francis and Christine Cook, Carl Holt and O'Shea's wife Isabelle.
His talent was apparent for the outset, as he won by 4.55l on debut in a track record at Scone in May 2020 and backed that up with a 3.3l win at Randwick at his second start.
He then emerged as a future star during the recent autumn carnival, winning four of his five starts and being beaten 0.1l in the other. He graduated from restricted class to stakes company with aplomb, with a 2.25l all-the-way win in the Luskin Star S.
"At his first race start he broke the track record and he rated through the roof there and at every other run subsequent to then he has put out really good figures," O'Shea said.
"He has got what we call big hip-to-hock. You can only dream of ending up with a TAB Everest horse, but he is by far and away the best sprinter that I have trained."
"He (Lost And Running) has got what we call big hip-to-hock. You can only dream of ending up with a TAB Everest horse, but he is by far and away the best sprinter that I have trained." - John O'Shea
O'Shea, who has trained the likes of Holler, Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock), Foxwedge and Charge Forward to Group 1-sprinting wins, said the 4-year-old's mindset is crucial to him fulfilling his significant talent, which he feels has not yet been realised.
"I think fundamentally what makes the difference between good horses and great horses in their attitude. He does his work and is a really placid horse to ride and has got a great nature around the stable. We are just looking forward to the next six months," he said.
"I'm honoured to be partnering with TAB for this year's TAB Everest. TAB is the lifeblood of our industry, so you feel as if you’re giving something back to an organisation that effectively keeps our industry afloat."
John O'Shea
Black-type breeding
Lost And Running is out of the Danroad mare, Dreamlife (NZ), the sister to Group 3 winner Kiss Me Ketut (NZ), and half-sister to the Listed winners Fast Love (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) and A Chance To Dream (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). Fast Love is the dam of Listed winner Kaonic (NZ) (Savabeel).
Further back on the pedigree page are G1 English Oaks winners Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}) and Midway Lady (USA) (Alleged {USA}) as well as seven other international Group/Grade 1 winners.
Lost And Running's confirmation for The Everest is set to provide leading jockey James McDonald, who rode him at all five starts through the autumn, with a dilemma, given his long association with Nature Strip.
TAB had Nature Strip run for its slot last year, only for the star sprinter to fade from outside the pace and finish seventh. In 2019, TAB came close to winning the race, with runner-up Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) competing in its slot.
| Chris Waller Racing | Nature Strip |
| Max Whitby/Neil Werrett | Masked Crusader |
| TAB | Lost And Running |
Table: The Everest slotholder runners for 2021
