Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone will bypass The Everest despite interest from slot holders, namely Yulong Investments and Coolmore.
Earlier on Sunday Coolmore opted to do a deal with connections of Gilgai Stakes winner War Machine.
Yulong Investments were widely tipped to dump the under-performing Private Harry from their slot and pick up Charm Stone.
However, despite having an ownership stake in the two-time Group 1 winning mare, Yulong Investments team were unable to convince the Charm Stone group of diverting from original plans in Melbourne.
“We are keen to keep Charm Stone in Victoria and head towards our original target of the Champions Sprint at Flemington. She won’t go to Sydney,” managing owner Sheamus Mills said.
A decision is yet to be made whether she will start again at the races prior to the Champions Sprint or be seen on Cox Plate day at the Valley in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes.
“Whether she runs in the McEwen Stakes, has a trial or goes straight into Flemington will be up to Mick (Price),” Mills said.
Despite missing out on Charm Stone, it’s very likely that Yulong Investments will pick another horse for The Everest, with their candidate Private Harry likely to be spelled following his two below par performances this spring.
