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By Brad Gray

Vega Magic’s emphatic victory in Saturday’s G3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield has earned the Lindsay Park-trained galloper another crack at The Everest, with slot holder James Harron announcing that a deal had been struck.

The rising six-year-old ran a luckless second to Redzel in the inaugural running of The Everest, and somewhat ironically, it’s Harron, who won the race last year, that will give Vega Magic his chance at retribution.

Vega Magic bounced back to his best on Saturday

Vega Magic is the 10th horse to be secured for the 2018 running of The Everest, worth $13 million, leaving the ATC and GPI Racing as the two yet to lock in a contender.

“We have been biding our time waiting to secure a horse with the credentials to win the race and importantly, to see that they have returned in top form,” said Harron.

“Vega Magic was favourite for the race last year when running a great second and his return in the Bletchingly Stakes was that of a top class sprinter at the top of his game. We are delighted to secure him to run in our slot.”

Harron also gave a nod to Vega Magic’s owners Wally and George Daly, who also bred the former Western Australian-trained gelding.

Everest slot holder James Harron (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“Credit to Wally and George for breeding such an outstanding sprinter and to David Hayes and his team at Lindsay Park for getting this horse right back to his best yesterday – we are tremendously excited to team up with them as we attempt to scale The Everest once more,” said Harron.

David Hayes put slot holders on notice moments after Vega Magic had crossed the line in the Bletchingly Stakes.

“It was fantastic to see him back to his best,” Hayes told Racing.com.

“He is a blockbuster sprinter on his day. He made some in-form horses look ordinary. He played with them today.”

Champion jockey Damien Oliver didn’t mince his words post-race either suggesting that slot holders would be “mad” to pass him up and that all Vega Magic needs to show his best is a dry track.

“He should have won (The Everest) last year and his form is impeccable on top of the ground. He felt great today. He is really strong horse, he just builds momentum and can absorb pressure,” Oliver said.

“He was right back to his best.”

Vega Magic is now rated a $10 chance for The Everest, to be run on October 13 at Royal Randwick, with TAB Fixed Odds.