Five-time Group One winner Santa Ana Lane has been confirmed as the TAB's runner in the world's richest turf race, the $14 million Everest.
Santa Ana Lane is the third horse snapped up for a slot in the 1200-sprint at Randwick in October and follows Pierata who runs for Aquis and Classique Legend who will run for his owner Boniface Ho who has bought the GPI Racing spot.
Trained by Anthony Freedman, Santa Ana Lane is the $6 Everest favourite ahead of Osborne Bulls ($6.50), Pierata ($7), Classique Legend ($9) and Sunlight ($9).
“We are very excited to once again be part of the world's richest turf race and even more delighted to have secured the race favourite,” Tabcorp managing director wagering and media, Adam Rytenskild said.
“The TAB Everest has been a fantastic concept to be involved in and we are hoping to come away victorious in 2019 with Santa Ana Lane. We look forward to sharing plans on how we will take TAB punters and racing fans along for the Everest ride over the coming months leading up to the big race.”
Santa Ana Lane's trainer Anthony Freedman said he was also looking forward to the partnership.
“It is great to be partnering with TAB who have been massive supporters of The Everest since the beginning.,” he said.
“Hopefully Santa Ana Lane can redeem himself from last year. We really feel he has improved over the last 12 months and we are thankful to TAB for putting their faith in us.”
Santa Ana Lane was unplaced in 2018 on a heavy track with Redzel backing up his win in the inaugural Everest in 2017.
Most recently, Santa Ana Lane ran fourth in the Chairman's Sprint Prize in Hong Kong after winning the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick last month.
Santa Ana Lane:
6yo gelding by Lope De Vega from Fast Fleet
Trainer: Anthony Freedman
Starts: 34 – 10 wins, one second, five thirds
Prize money: $5,233,871