Scone trainer Rod Northam is looking to the group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) with Spiranac after her luckless but eye-catching third in the $1.3 million Kosciuszko (1200m) at Randwick.
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Art Cadeau, for South Coast trainer Terry Robinson, edged out 2019 champion Handle The Truth in an epic finish to the richest race for country horses on Saturday.
Less than a length away was Spiranac, which flashed home after she was shifted out multiple times in the straight by jockey James McDonald in the search for clear running from a rails position near the back of the field.
Spiranac still collected $130,000 for connections and Northam was proud of the performance from the five-year-old.
"It was a huge effort and I was really happy with her," Northam said.
"She just struggled to get clear air until really late.
"I was thinking she would run an unlucky fourth, fifth, but when she got that clear air, she really jumped out of the ground. It was great.
"James thought that if she drew an inside barrier, they could have been a pair closer and she nearly wins."
He was unsure of Spiranac's next assignment but said the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill was an option.
"There's the Hot Danish in three weeks," he said. "We'll probably nom and see how hard it is. Otherwise we'll just look at a benchmark race around the 1400."
Newcastle trainers Kris Lees and Paul Perry also had to settle for placings in features on the Everest program.
Lees' Luncies was a neck away second from Warning in the $500,000 St Leger Stakes (2600m), while Perry's Sky Lab was runner-up, two lengths away from Think It Over, in the $750,000 Craven Plate (2000m).
Lees said Luncies would likely be spelled with a view to the Sydney autumn.
"He's still a work in progress, but he's going to make a nice stayer," Lees said.
"He'll probably have a break now. He's run well and he might be a Sydney Cup prospect. We could have gone to Melbourne but I think he's still six months away from his best."
At Caulfield, Lees-trained Never Talk came from last early to finish third in the listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m).
Lees said Never Talk would likely race in the Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Derby Day before a potential shot at the $1 million Hunter at Newcastle.
"She appreciated that softer ground," he said.
"She didn't have a great run but she hit the line well."
At Eagle Farm, Ciccini was a dead-heat winner in a class three handicap for Lees, making it four victories in six starts. He said Ciccini would be spelled and was a potential provincial championships horse next year.
AAP reports: Chris Waller was hailed as a trainer without peer as Nature Strip silenced racing's doubters in winning the $15 million Everest at Randwick.
Nature Strip ($3.70 favourite) claimed Australian turf's richest prize at his third attempt in a heart-stopping finish to stave off a surging Masked Crusader ($12).
Jockey James McDonald was in awe of his horse and Waller.
"I don't know what he does," McDonald told the Seven Network.
"He is a freak of a trainer and the horse is a star, and I knew we would see something really good today."
** The Melbourne Cup could easily be Incentivise's to lose after the most exciting and improved racehorse in the country romped home in the Caulfield Cup.
Capping a meteoric rise, Incentivise trounced his rivals in the $5 million race to take a stranglehold on betting for the Melbourne Cup.
Despite covering more ground than any other runner, Incentivise strolled to the lead on the home turn and won by 3.5 lengths.
And while jockey Brett Prebble admitted to a moment of concern as the pressure went on, as far as Melbourne Cup trials go they don't come any better for 3200m at Flemington in 17 days.
"I was surprised he came off the bridle sooner than I would have liked," Prebble told the Seven Network.
"All that is telling me is look out Melbourne Cup. He is going to eat (the distance)."