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Crack speedster Nature Strip will focus on an early spring Sydney campaign with only a slim chance of being selected for one of the few remaining Everest slots.
Only four slots remain open for the third running of the $14 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19 but two of those are virtually closed to "outsiders" as they are held by racing powerhouses Coolmore Stud and Godolphin and are certain to be filled by their own horses.
Another of the remaining slots is held by the Australian Turf Club and Melbourne Racing Club and is reserved for the winner of the Schilaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 12, leaving the slot held by bloodstock agent James Harron as the only realistic Everest place open to Nature Strip.
Nature Strip, previously prepared by Darren Weir, is trained by Chris Waller and he already has two confirmed Everest runners in the select field of 12 with the former Perth pair Arcadia Queen and Enticing Star locked into the slots held by his own stable and Sydney casino The Star.
Nature Strip's owner Rod Lyons said it was unlikely his sprinter would attempt to earn as a last minute start in The Everest by running in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield due to the seven-day time frame between the two races.
However Nature Strip could still be in action at Randwick on Everest day as part of a three-race Sydney program that has been mapped out by Waller for the rising 5YO.
Nature Strip can press his claims for James Harron's Everest slot by running in the G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 7 followed by the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at the same course on October 4, a race that is certain to feature many selected Everest runners.
If Nature Strip fails to pick up an Everest slot after those events he is programmed to run in the $500,000 Sydney Stakes (1200m), the Group 3 race the ATC has included on the Everest card on October 19.
He will then head to Melbourne where his target race will be the $1 million VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 9.
Pierata, the G1 All-Aged Stakes winner selected for the Everest by slot holder Aquis Farm, is set to have two barrier trials at Warwick Farm in August.Trainer Greg Hickman said Pierata would trial on August 9 and again on August 23 before he locks in the first of his Everest lead-up races.
Hickman is considering the Concorde Stakes, The Shorts and the Premiere Stakes as suitable prep races for Pierata.
Alizee, the multiple G1-winning mare among the possibles to fill the Godolphin slot in the Everest, is entered for a 900m barrier trial on the course proper at Randwick on Tuesday.It will be her second trial since she last raced in April after she finished fourth in a 900m heat at Rosehill on July 19.