Godolphin have confirmed the James Cummings-trained Ingratiating will take their slot in Saturday’s $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick with the field of 12 now confirmed for the world’s richest turf race.

The racing powerhouse left their announcement until Monday morning, and the Royal Blue brigade will be represented in the sixth edition of the buy-in event by Frosted four-year-old Ingratiating.

“It is with great excitement we announce #TeamGodolphin’s slot runner for the 2022 The Everest,” Godolphin confirmed on Twitter.

A first-up winner at Caulfield in the wet on September 17, the progressive entire was good coming for stablemate Paulele when runner-up at the same track last weekend in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m).

Ingratiating is a three-time Group 1 place-getter with big runs in the 2021 Blue Diamond Stakes (2^nd), 2021 Golden Slipper (3^rd) and 2021 Manikato Stakes (3^rd).

“Ingratiating is a very good horse,” Cummings told Racing.com after the Schillaci run on Saturday.

“I backed up Ingratiating into a Blue Diamond. He was only just beaten.”

Cummings went on to describe Ingratiating as bull who was “capable of a seven-day backup.”

After storming home to win the Schillaci in fine style, Paulele was considered for The Everest slot before the decision was made to save him for a different next-up target heading to Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Eve for the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m).

Kementari was the other contender tipped to fill the Godolphin slot, but will instead run in the now very lucrative $2 million Group 3 Sydney Stakes on The Everest Day.

Ingratiating is rated a $34 outside in The Everest betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Markets are firmly led by the reigning Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip who is already odds on at $1.80 to emulate Redzel (2017-18) to become the second two-time The Everest winner in history.

John O’Shea’s last start Group 2 Premiere Stakes winner at the track and distance, Lost And Running, is rated the challenger most like to score an upset at a current quote of $8.

Nature Strip won last year’s The Everest at his third attempt, while Lost And Running was fourth in the race 12 months ago.

The official The Everest final field and emergencies will be confirmed on Tuesday morning followed by the barrier draw that evening.

Click here for the latest The Everest 2022 odds, courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2022 The Everest Contenders

EDUARDO

• Trainer: Joe Pride
• Slot Holder: Yulong Investments
• Last Year’s Result: 3rd

MAZU

• Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
• Slot Holder: The Star & Arrowfield
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

NATURE STRIP

• Trainer: Chris Waller
• Slot Holder: Chris Waller Racing
• Last Year’s Result: 1st

MASKED CRUSADER

• Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
• Slot Holder: Max Whitby & Neil Werrett
• Last Year’s Result: 2nd

LOST AND RUNNING

• Trainer: John O’Shea
• Slot Holder: TAB
• Last Year’s Result: 4th

PRIVATE EYE (Snapdancer withdrawn with injury)

• Trainer: Joesph Pride
• Slot Holder: Inglis
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

OVERPASS

• Trainer: Bjorn Baker
• Slot Holder: James Kennedy (purchased from GPI Racing)
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

JACQUINOT

• Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr.
• Slot Holder: Coolmore
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

JOYFUL FORTUNE

• Trainer: Mark Newnham
• Slot Holder: Aquis
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

SHADES OF ROSE

• Trainer: Bjorn Baker
• Slot Holder: Bon Ho
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

GIGA KICK

• Trainer: Clayton Douglas
• Slot Holder: James Harron Bloodstock
• Last Year’s Result: N/A

INGRATIATING

• Trainer: James Cummings
• Slot Holder: Godolphin
• Last Year’s Result: N/A