Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Late on Sunday afternoon, news broke that Aquis had secured the hugely talented Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible) as their The Everest replacement later in the month.
The talented 4-year-old will replace Sunshine In Paris (Invader), who was ruled out late last month.
Hawaii Five Oh was bred by Gerry Harvey and is co-raced by his close friend John Singleton and trained by the red-hot Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
Aquis must have felt confident selecting the royally-bred son of I Am Invincible after a slashing run in Saturday’s G2 Premiere S. behind The Everest favourite Think About It (So You Think {NZ}).
McDonald over the moon
Gerry Harvey’s racing manager, Luke McDonald, was overjoyed when speaking to The Thoroughbred Report regarding the news.
“Myself, Katie (Page), Gerry (Harvey) and Singo (John Singleton) all have a great relationship with Aquis, and it’s absolutely fantastic to be joining up with them again for the 2023 The Everest,” McDonald told TTR AusNZ.
“We joined up with Aquis with Libertini and didn’t have much luck. But hopefully, we have more this time.
Luke McDonald | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Hawaii Five Oh has a live chance in The Everest, and my brother James (McDonald) will take the mount.
“Gai (Waterhouse) and Adrian (Bott) are ecstatic to have a world-class jockey in the saddle, and hopefully we can take it out.”
McDonald was also taken by the performance of Hawaii Five Oh on Saturday in the Premiere. The display gives him confidence that the entire isn’t just making up the numbers.
“Hawaii Five Oh ran enormous on Saturday. He ran some huge sectionals and we were nose off the favourite for The Everest in the Premiere” McDonald told TTR AusNZ.
“There is no reason for people to think we are out of the race with that performance. We’ve got a live chance, the world’s best jockey on board, and a great partnership with Aquis and the feeling is just excitement.”
Fitting for Singo
Hawaii Five Oh would be a momentous occasion for John Singleton, who recently sold his prized bloodstock and five-star property Strawberry Hill Stud—only keeping his hand in a few racehorses with Hawaii Five Oh among those.
“Singo is ecstatic as well. He’s lost for words, really. It is an incredible thrill; he has sold up his farm, got out of his broodmares, and kept a few racehorses, of which Hawaii Five Oh is one of them.
“It’s enormous if he wins The Everest. He is a top-class entire, by a Champion Sire and from a Group 1-winning mare (Aloha), who has already produced a star in Libertini.
“It’s enormous if he (Hawaii Five Oh) wins The Everest. He is a top-class entire, by a Champion Sire (I Am Invincible) and from a Group 1-winning mare (Aloha), who has already produced a star in Libertini.” - Luke McDonald
“He is the ultimate stallion prospect. Hawaii Five Oh has the pedigree and looks, and he’s getting the race performance. If he takes out The Everest, he has to be one of the most valuable colts in the country.
“You have to be excited. And we all are for the future.
“We’re confident Hawaii Five Oh will tick off a big race down the track. He’s in for a big preparation.”
