Sydney’s $10 million The Everest race may be out to steal the spotlight this Saturday, but trainer Tony McEvoy said winning the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas 2017 on the same day with his colt Royal Symphony was more important to him.

The Restricted weight-for-age The Everest is the latest initiative by the Australian Turf Club (ATC) and runs for the first time at Royal Randwick on Saturday, while in Melbourne a four Group 1 race card is headlined by the $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

With a host of the country’s best sprinters including Golden Slipper winning filly She Will Reign and triple TJ Smith Stakes champion Chautauqua on show in The Everest field, it is easy to see why it is gaining so much attention.

There has also been an element of controversy surrounding The Everest dubbed by many as a race for elitists as slot-holders buy into the event at a cost of $600,000.

The Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas however is a classic stallion-making race and important feature on the spring agenda, something McEvoy is well aware of as he prepares to saddle up this season’s favourite in the three-years-old mile showdown.

“It’s more important to me than winning a race like The Everest,” McEvoy told Racing Victoria.

“Anyone can do this. This colt was bought out of a paddock for 20 grand. That’s what our racing was built on, not some slot race.

“That race is made for kings and in our racing there aren’t many kings.”

A capacity field is engaged and Royal Symphony is drawn barrier nine, into eight if the race’s sole emergency Mighty Boss (5) doesn’t gain a start.

Jockey Dwayne Dunn shoots for successive Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas wins after his success on Divine Prophet 12 months ago and has been aboard Domesday colt Royal Symphony for all five of his career starts to date.

The youngster kicked things off with four wins on the trot, including a black-type over the Flemington mile during the winter and a first-up Listed Exford Plate (1400m) victory in mid-September also at Flemington.

He debuted at Caulfield Racecourse on October 1 in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) but failed to keep his flawless record intact finishing three and a half-lengths back fourth behind the winner Perast.

This weekend Royal Symphony is looking to atone and remains top of the updated Caulfield Guineas odds at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au paying $4.20.

McEvoy was more than happy with the fast-finishing effort late in the Prelude by Royal Symphony and believes getting out to a mile with a previous Caulfield run behind him can see the colt return to winning form.

“We just need a good, even speed,” he said.

“I said at the 1000m [in the Prelude] that he couldn’t win and for him to get as close as he did, when they were going so steady, to my eye it said it was a very good run and the clock backed it up.

“He ran a faster last 600m than Santa Ana Lane and Mr Sneaky [who ran the Sir Rupert Clarke quinella), and faster 600m, 400m and 200m than Bonneval and Hartnell.

“It was probably the best run of his career and his first defeat.”

Royal Symphony will don winkers for the first time in the Group 1 to help sharpen him up and McEvoy hopes that on Saturday he will be relaxed watching the race knowing it was now up to the horse and his hoop.

“I’m in a far better place than I was and I’m a better trainer for it. I’m under less stress. I now have clarity,” he said.

To back Royal Symphony to win the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas 2017 at the right price visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.