Goldolphin rely on two Zacs in Everest

Godolphin has shaken up the formula with trainer James Cummings relying on untapped potential and proven class to deliver the racing and breeding powerhouse a maiden $20m TAB Everest over 1200m on Saturday at Royal Randwick.

Godolphin are still hunting their first The Everest victory but will head to tomorrow's main event with one of the strongest ever hands with smart colt Cylinder and the stable's best sprinter, In Secret.

The race is off at 7.15am SA time and the meeting, the richest in the Southern Hemisphere, will include Hong Kong World Pool bets on Win and Place only. All other bets will be part of SA pools.

TAB will be betting on Races 3 to 10.

Cylinder is the first three-year-old Godolphin have saddled in the race after previously running more experienced sprinters in the main event and they will be relying on apprentice Zack Lloyd to do the job for them.

Cummings is confident Cylinder is up to the task. "He is all about potential in this race Cylinder," Cummings said.

"Having said that, he already has the big placing in the Golden Slipper and placing in the Golden Rose so he is no stranger to high pressure environments.

"He has trained on beautifully since the Golden Rose and I think we are cooking with gas there and we are going to enjoy run of the race stuff."

Chris Waller-trained Yes Yes Yes finished second in the Golden Rose in 2019 before going on to salute in The Everest at his next start.

Cummings was hopeful Cylinder could replicate that effort and believes the smart son of Exceed And Excel can reap the benefits of a favourable barrier No 4.

While Cummings is relying on one of the world's most experienced big race riders in Zac Purton on In Secret, he has kept the faith in young apprentice Lloyd, the son of former leading South African jockey Jeff Lloyd, for the coveted lightweight ride on Cylinder.

Lloyd and rival Buenos Noches' rider Dylan Gibbons will be the first apprentices to ride in an Everest. "I think it speaks volumes about the form that he is in but also the 12 months he has had," Cummings said.

"He is listening and while he is doing that, riding like he is riding and sticking to his routine, I think it's great that opportunities are coming his way and he is converting.

"It doesn't make it an easier because like all of us, you will be judged by the performance on the day, but he is going to get to the meeting this weekend and have another good book of rides and Cylinder is part of that."

The same cannot be said for In Secret ($11), a winner of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap earlier this year who will run in Godolphin's slot.

She will be forced to jump from the outside gate in the field of 12 and Cummings is hoping Purton can produce one of his trademark steers from the gate.

"In Secret is probably going to need something to bring her into the race so from out there. Zac Purton, I dare say, is going to have to ride a pretty patient race and sweat on something that is going to make things unfold for him the way he wants," Cummings said.

"I think he (Purton) is pretty pumped up about the race. He's got interesting rides on the day but Zac is just airborne, isn't he?” - Racenet.com.au