Prominent West Australian owner-breeder Bob Peters has not one but two runners to claim the A$14 million The Everest title and perhaps many more prestigious trophies in the wings such as the Cox Plate and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next season with the abdication of Winx from the throne.

West Australian star filly Arcadia Queen might not be Winx but Sydney trainer Chris Waller is touted to be training the worthy Regent who will fill those impossible shoes.

Everest Diaries speaks to Australia’s top horseman about his Everest runners

ED: You both Arcadia Queen and Enticing Star? Arcadia Queen is touted as the next in line to the throne recently vacated by Winx and Enticing Star can do no wrong. What attracted you to these pedigree lines?

BP: Arcadia Queen and Enticing Star are from two families that we have been developing over many years.

Arcadia Queen is from Arcadia, the first daughter of Antique whom we raced with some success and had produced for us quite a few fillies that we have raced and have joined our broodmare band.

While Enticing Star is from Favourite Star, a daughter of Lady Ashford who we also raced. Favourite Star also has several siblings from whom we are breeding.

ED: In terms of the 3P’s (Pedigree, Performance and physical condition) & competition, could you tell us why Arcadia Queen and Enticing Star are best placed to win The Everest or land in the top 3 this year?

BP: Both of these mares are lightly raced and so far have shown to have the above-average ability. The testing uphill Randwick straight should suit their style of racing

ED: What are the plans for Arcadia Queen and Enticing Star before & after The Everest?

BP: Both mares will have a maximum of two starts before The Everest. After this race hopefully Arcadia Queen will run in The Golden Eagle two weeks later. We have nothing planned for Enticing Star at this stage.

ED: Do you breed for specific races or do you breed for athleticism?

BP: We aim our programme mostly for producing sound racehorses that can perform at all distances. We do not breed to aim at specific races.

ED: You went from horsepower to (thoroughbred) horsepower. Considering you were surrounded by powerful cars which are used in professional car racing and have probably seen the best engines in the world, why didn’t you go into car racing? What is so special about the breeding, care and racing of thoroughbred horses which is so special?

BP: I was involved in the motor business with car and truck franchises as well as truck and trailer rentals for many years. Our business now comprises of three divisions – leasing of industrial, office and commercial property, investing in new start-up and blue-chip public companies and the farming operations with some cattle and sheep along with the horses and we do still have a shareholding in the BMW franchise. The interest in the breeding of horses comes from my early introduction to working horses and from a lifetime of riding horses. I have never had any desire to be involved in car racing.

ED: The decade is almost over. What is on your bucket list of things to do before 2030?

BP: Before 2030 I would like to win an Everest, Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, along with as many stakes races as possible.