Former Devonport trainer can share credit if Eduardo wins $15 million Everest

Eduardo was set on the path towards the world's richest race on turf by Sarah Zschoke who trained the seven-year-old until he was sold about four months ago.

His new owners transferred him to the Joe Pride stable in Sydney where he won his first two starts before a second to Everest favourite Classique Legend in The Shorts at Randwick three weeks ago.

He is now a $17 chance to collect the $6,200,000 Everest winner's cheque.

Eduardo put Zschoke's name in the spotlight two years ago when he went from a maiden to a group 2 winner in the space of his first five starts.

He went on to prove himself one of Victoria's best sprinters with a close third in the group 1 Oakleigh Plate and consistent performances at the elite level.

However, after two unplaced runs earlier this year, his two key owners sold their controlling share.

Zschoke was sad to see Eduardo go but satisfied she had done everything she could with the horse.

"I think what I did with him was good enough for me," she told the racing.com web site.

"Whatever happens from here, I know that I got, if not the best out of the horse, a great part of him.

"He definitely put my name out there and that's a huge thing in Victoria where there is so much competition.

"It was really good to have a horse like that in my name to promote me a bit more."

Zschoke, 38, grew up at Shearwater and served a short apprenticeship as a jockey with the late Allan Stubbs at Longford.

She won on her very first ride, Aristocrat Lady, at Spreyton in 2000.

When she decided to try her hand at training, more than a decade later, she again had almost instant success.

She won her first race with her second starter, Allota Gooditdidme, at Spreyton in May 2012.

Shortly after, Zschoke decided to pursue her career in Victoria.

"I thought the opportunities here would be a lot greater than in Tasmania," she said.

Craig Newitt has a realistic chance to win his 34th group 1 race after picking up the ride on Metropolitan Handicap winner Mirage Dancer in Saturday's $5 million Caulfield Cup.

It will be the former Shearwater jockey's ninth ride in the race, with his best result a third on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Tullamore in 2011.

His most recent ride was on Hardham who picked up $75,000 for finishing 10th in 2017.

Mirage Dancer, an English import trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, was making his Australia debut when third to Mer De Glace and Vow And Declare in last year's Caulfield Cup.

The 2400m Metropolitan at Randwick 10 days ago, was his first Australian win.

Mirage Dancer is a $26 chance with tab.com.au.

Stowport harness trainer Craig Hayes is on target for another big win after his smart filly Melnrowley easily won her heat of the Evicus Stakes in Hobart on Sunday night.

Melnrowley and other heat winner Stepping Stones both led all the way to score by more than 10m.

The Heath Woods-trained Stepping Stones recorded a slightly faster time but if Melnrowley draws well for the $50,000 final on Sunday week she is likely to start a warm favourite.

When the two fillies met in the Sweepstakes final a fortnight earlier, Melnrowley drew outside Stepping Stones but was able to cross her at the start and lead throughout.

Melnrowley has won four of her five starts and $27,000.

Mowbray will host 16 Wednesday night meetings this season, starting this week with an eight-race program kicking off at 6.15 pm.

The night season runs through until April 7.

There is a meeting almost every Wednesday night until Christmas but next week is an exception with racing on Friday night to coincide with the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.