Redzel’s tactical advantage over Vega Magic proved the difference Saturday at Royal Randwick in the world’s richest turf race. Sitting a perfect pressing trip under Kerrin McEvoy, Redzel took command of the $7,774,000 Everest Stakes 300 meters out, winning by just less than one length. Vega Magic was a neck better than longshot Brave Smash in third, as Chautauqua, whose good finish came too late, was three-quarters farther back in fourth. This was the first edition of the Everest, a six-furlong grass race modeled after the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. Connections put up just less than $475,000 each to secure a three-year slot in the Everest that can be used or sold off to another interested party. Redzel provided a rich return on investment to the Triple Crown Syndicate, taking down $4,588,786 in prize money. Redzel, trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, won only twice in his first nine starts before blooming relatively late. He won his first Group 1 this past May at Doomben, and the Everest marked his fifth straight victory. McEvoy had ridden the well-bet Everest starter She Will Reign in the 3-year-old filly’s most recent start but wound up Saturday on Redzel and worked out an ideal trip. Redzel broke on top, but Houtzen, another 3-year-old filly, took the lead and had the inside as McEvoy and Redzel were perched second, racing in the clear. Redzel, who goes well at 5 1/2 furlongs and probably doesn’t want much more than six, drew abreast a quarter-mile from the finish after turning for home, but it wasn’t for another half-furlong that McEvoy asked for his mount’s best. Redzel gave it, opening a two-length lead 100 yards from the wire and comfortably holding clear a belated, far-outside bid from Vega Magic. “This horse had drawn a good gate, and it couldn‘t have worked out any better in the run,” McEvoy said. “We had a dream run outside the leader.” Redzel paid $16.50 to win in North American wagering. The 5-year-old gelding, by Snitzel and out of Millrich, by Rubiton, has a record of 7-1-2 from 16 starts. He was timed in 1:08.36 for 1,200 meters. Vega Magic ran well in defeat. Caught wide into the turn, he was hard held by jockey Craig Williams to find cover while still losing considerable ground, coming widest after turning for home to make his move. Vega Magic might prefer seven furlongs to six, and it was only in the last 100 meters that he found his best stride. The Japanese-bred Brave Smash ran at the top of his form to get third, while Chautauqua wasn’t at all disgraced in finishing fourth. Still last with 400 meters to run, Chautauqua came with an inside rally before being steered three paths off the fence to finish between horses with good energy. Behind Chautauqua came Tulip, English, Houtzen, Clearly Innocent, Deploy, Redkirk Warrior, She Will Reign, and Fell Swoop.