Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 6

Posted on | Posted by Warren Huntly

1. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Rank: 1st
Last Start: April 28, The Chairman’s Sprint Prize – Sha Tin (4th)

Scratched from The Shorts last week due to the wet track. It looks like he will resume in The Gilgai up the straight at Flemington early next month, two weeks before The Everest. He does race best with a decent gap between races, but I’m still confident he is the one to beat.

2. Pierata
Previous Rank: 4th
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (1st)

Relished the wet track at Randwick to win the group 2 The Shorts last Saturday, knocking off Everest rivals Redzel and Classique Legend in the process. Has come back in great order and looks a top Everest contender.

3. Classique Legend
Previous Rank: 2nd
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (2nd)

His performance in The Shorts against a number of the leading Everest contenders proved he is right up there with our best sprinters, and, importantly, he performs on top of the ground and with the jar out.

4. Redzel
Previous Rank: 3rd
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (3rd)

Following his fine first-up win in the Concorde, he lost no admirers with a brave third in The Shorts. Still a huge factor, especially if it rains.

5. Arcadia Queen
Previous Rank: 5th
Last Start: September 14, Theo Marks Stakes (1st)

Her first-up win in the Theo Marks was outstanding and we could see her step out on Saturday in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill. She is sure to be one of the strongest closers in The Everest.

6. Enticing Star
Previous Rank: 6th
Last Start: December 1, Winterbottom Stakes (2nd)

Has been trialling brilliantly and could make her Sydney debut for Chris Waller in the Golden Pendant. She’s a real talent and I’m looking forward to seeing whether she takes the next step – I suspect she will.

7. Osborne Bulls
Previous Rank: 7th
Last Start: May 11, Doomben 10,000 (2nd)

Another that bypassed The Shorts due to the bog track. He ran a great race in The Everest last year and although is yet to win at Group 1 level, he has proven he is one of the best sprinters in the land. Godolphin’s likely top seed for their slot.

8. Alizee
Previous Rank: 8th
Last Start: August 31, Memsie Stakes (3rd)

Still no sign of this gun mare since her slashing third in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on August 31. She is capable of being freshened for a tilt at The Everest.

9. Sunlight
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (5th)

Runs Friday night in the G1 Moir Stakes at The Valley after trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy took her out of The Shorts. Was big in condition first-up in the Concorde and I expect an improved showing this week. Needs to improve, but suspect she will.

10. Graff
Previous Rank: 12th
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (4th)

Ran fifth in last year’s Everest and backed up his eye catching first-up run behind Redzel (third) in the Concorde with another strong showing in The Shorts (fourth). Although he is yet to win at Group 1 level, he has proven competitive against a number of Everest runners and would be a worthy contender should he gain an Everest slot.

11. In Her Time
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Start: March 9, Newmarket Handicap (6th)

Trainer Kris Lees had planned to use The Shorts as In Her Time’s only lead-up to the The Everest but, but those plans changed due to the wet track (she was scratched). Keen to see what she does first-up; has been trialling well.

12. Nature Strip
Previous Rank: 11th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (4th)

Will start favourite in the Moir on Friday and I expect him to be let loose and take a power of catching. Can bounce back with a vengeance.

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