The only reason Trapeze Artist won’t run in Saturday’s Theo Marks Stakes is if the Rosehill track comes up heavy.
The Bert Vieira-owned sprinter is the favourite for The Everest, and the Theo Marks forms a crucial part of his preparation. Vieira will be by his wife Gai’s hospital bed after she was involved in a car accident on Wednesday.
Everest favourite: Trapeze Artist will look to continue his good first-up record in the Theo Marks Stakes.
“The horse is ready to go and we'll run provided the track doesn’t get too heavy,” trainer Gerald Ryan said. “It is sad what has happened, but we have never discussed scratching him.
“He is going to be vulnerable with 61kg first-up, but look at his first-up record: he is two from three and in the other one he led into a raving headwind and ran sixth.
“He is very good fresh but you have to remember that the main target is five weeks away.”
Trapeze Artist has been easy in betting and has been joined by D’argento as $3 equal favourite with good money for Siege Of Quebec, which has been backed from $6 to $4.40 at Beteasy.
The Snitzel four-year-old has pleased the stable with what he has done on the track but Ryan has left a bit in the tank.
“He is a hard horse to get a line on [on] the track but he saved his best work for Tuesday, which indicates he is ready to go,” Ryan said.
The Vieiras have thanked the racing community for its support since Gai's car accident.
"Thank you for all of your prayers and messages of support. Although there are far too many to be able to reply to at this time, your kind thoughts are very encouraging and mean a great deal to us all. We are looking forward to having Gai back at the races as soon as possible," they said in a statement on Racing NSW website.
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