Ward Eyeing Spot in The Everest With Bound For Nowhere

The second running of the world's richest turf sprint, the A$13-million The Everest, could have an American entrant, as trainer Wesley Ward is strongly considering sending GIII Shakertown S. winner and G1 Diamond Jubilee S. (video) third-place getter Bound For Nowhere (The Factor) for the 1200-meter test at Sydney's Royal Randwick Saturday, Oct. 13. The story was first reported by Australian website Racing.com.

Ward told the TDN Thursday that Bound For Nowhere has emerged from his run at Royal Ascot none the worse for the effort and has been resting doing “absolutely nothing” since his return to Kentucky. Should he make the trip to Australia, Bound For Nowhere would board a flight with dual-hemisphere shuttle stallion, including American Pharoah.

Seven horses are already booked for The Everest. Bound For Nowhere's participation hinges on Ward–who owns the 4-year-old colt–securing an agreement with one of the remaining five shareholders, a group that includes Coolmore Stud, a farm with which Ward has had a long-standing and successful relationship. Coolmore won the Diamond Jubilee with Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), but he has been retired to stud. It remains possible, however, that Coolmore could field its own runner for The Everest.

“We have one week from [Thursday] if we could work something out with a slot holder and if not, there wouldn't really be anything lost since he's getting time off anyways and he'd be ready to charge forward wherever I decided to run him next,” Ward said.

Assuming he were to make the trip, Bound For Nowhere would be under the care of Ward's colleague and good friend Gai Waterhouse, Ward said.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Cannonball (Catienus) represented Ward in Australia in 2010, but he was a horse who was over the top and on a downward slide, by the trainer's own admission. Bound For Nowhere is a different proposition altogether, he asserts.

“This guy is probably in the prime of his life and he's on an upward spiral,” Ward said of the $310,000 Keeneland September grad. “The Everest was something that I wanted to have the opportunity to think about and am glad that I have that opportunity. He's put all the weight back on that he lost from his travels and everything is looking very good with the horse. We have a chance to go down early, maybe have a prep race before, so the timing is very good. But everything is a concern,” he added, referencing the long trip and the need for Bound For Nowhere to handle a right-handed way of going.

If a decision is made against The Everest, the Breeders' Cup would be the target for Bound For Nowhere. Ward is considering a comeback in the $750,000 Tourist Mile Sept. 1 at Kentucky Downs. Both the GI Breeders' Cup Mile and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint are options for Bound For Nowhere, Ward said.

The trainer is thrilled to have the chance to even consider a race like The Everest, but the situation remains fluid.

“It's a sprint race and that's what I do best–turf sprinters–and like I said, I have a horse that seems to be at the top of his game,” Ward said. “It all sounds very good, but a lot has to work out. If I stay here, I don't have to leave the state of Kentucky to get to the Breeders' Cup [at Churchill Downs Nov. 2 and 3]. I just want to make the right decision for the horse.”