The Everest Power Rankings: Week 1

Posted on August 24, 2021August 22, 2023 | Posted by Paul Joice

1. Masked Crusader ($8)
2020 Everest: N/A
Last Start: April 24, All Aged Stakes (5th)

Bagged his first Group 1 win at start number ten with a stunning display in the William Reid Stakes. That victory was followed with a luckless second in the TJ Smith Stakes – splitting Nature Strip and Eduardo. A sizzling recent trial at Rosehill ignited the flame and this Team Hawkes-trained five-year-old looks ready to rumble heading into the spring. Importantly already has a confirmed slot and is my number one seed.

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2. Classique Legend ($6.50)
2020 Everest: 1st
Last Start: Dec 13, Hong Kong Sprint (11th)

The defending champ is back at headquarters under the watchful eye of master trainer Les Bridge. A failed stint in Hong Kong is now well behind the six-year-old grey gelding and his grand final this spring will be The Everest. Last year’s electrifying win is carved into the memory of punters and with a confirmed slot I’m confident he’ll be right amongst the thick of it again come October 16.

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3. Nature Strip ($4.60)
2020 Everest: 7th
Last Start: April 10, TJ Smith Stakes (1st)

Is Chris Waller’s seven-year-old an enigma or is he the real deal? Six Group 1 wins already in the bank tells me he is the real deal but with two Everest attempts resulting in two unplaced efforts the question remains valid – at least in a high-pressure contest such as The Everest. He appears the perfect Everest horse on paper. Handles all going and possesses an abundance of tactical speed. With a confirmed slot he’ll create plenty of discussion along the way and perhaps this will be third time lucky for the hulking chestnut.

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4. Lost And Running ($8.25)
2020 Everest: N/A
Last Start: May 15, Luskin Star Stakes (1st)

The new kid on the block is about to face his toughest campaign to date. Five wins from six starts and graduated to Stakes grade with a dominant Listed victory prior to going for a spell. A recent Randwick trial win indicated John O’Shea’s five-year-old is ticking along perfectly and with a confirmed slot in The Everest is certainly going to keep his better-credentialed rivals honest.

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5. Stay Inside ($8)
2020 Everest: N/A
Last Start: March 27, Golden Slipper (1st)

The Golden Slipper curse is about to be well and truly debunked if you’ve been watching the barrier trials of this Richard and Michael Freedman-trained three-year-old. Believe it or not, he was slightly backwards as a two-year-old and the best is yet to come. A power-packed sprinting machine, this colt has the right attitude and goes on all types of ground. Likely to kick-off his spring campaign in the San Domenico Stakes on Saturday so keep your eyes peeled.

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6. Rothfire ($9.50)
2020 Everest: N/A
Last Start: Sep 26, Golden Rose (4th)

The hope of Queensland. An absolute flying machine, trainer Rob Heathcote has nursed his star sprinter back into health and judging by his trials up north – is back to his best! And his best is scarily good. Won the Group 1 JJ Atkins as a two-year-old before making a mess of them in the Run to The Rose (1200m) prior to succumbing to injury in the Golden Rose. Carries plenty of X-Factor into this year’s Everest puzzle.

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7. Eduardo ($15)
2020 Everest: 11th
Last Start: May 15, Doomben 10,000 (1st)

This lightly raced eight-year-old arguably carries the best recent form of any galloper heading towards The Everest. Picked-up two Group 1 wins from his past three starts before going for a spell whilst also setting a track record outgunning Nature Strip to claim the Challenge Stakes (1000m) during the autumn. Best known as a wet tracker but can certainly go on the dry and was too slick for Gytrash in a recent trial. Finished a controversial 11^th in last year’s Everest but if he gains a slot will finish much further up the ladder this year.

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8. Gytrash ($13)
2020 Everest: 3rd
Last Start: May 29, Kingsford-Smith Cup (12th)

Finished third in last year’s edition and was one of the few gallopers with a hard luck story out of the race. Backed that up with a heavy track win over Haut Brion Her but a disappointing winter campaign has taken some gloss off the fairy-tale South Australian. Did look sharp in a recent Sydney trial when third behind Eduardo and with a guaranteed slot can be trained specifically for the grand final.

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9. Anamoe ($13)
2020 Everest: N/A
Last Start: April 10, Sires Produce (1st)

Has an electric turn of foot as evidenced with a blistering victory in the Sires Produce (1400m) prior to going for a spell. Wide barriers proved costly for this James Cummings-trained colt in the both the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper so is certainly capable in high-pressure contests. Has had a minor setback heading into the spring but his return shouldn’t be far away.

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10. Paulele ($15)
2020 Everest: N/A
Last Start: August 7, Rosebud (1st)

If recent form is good form then this is your Everest horse. Lumped 59kg first-up in the Rosebud and blew his rivals away. James Cummings’ colt has now won four from six and with recent form on the board is going to look very attractive for slot holders. Watch this space.

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11. Libertini ($26)
2020 Everest: 8th
Last Start: April 10, TJ Smith Stakes (8th)

Started hard in the market at $6 in last year’s edition on the back of an awesome Premiere Stakes (1200m) victory when motoring right over the top of Classique Legend. Hasn’t been able to reproduce that rating figure at four subsequent starts but has shown glimpses of that ability with placings in the VRC Classic and William Reid. Hamstrung by the apparent need for dry ground but will be a sneaky chance if gets into the big one and gets conditions to suit.

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12. Haut Brion Her ($26)
2020 Everest: 5th
Last Start: March 27, The Galaxy (5th)

This lightly raced Zoustar mare finished fifth in The Everest last year. In the quinella at 10 of her 13 starts she looks a reliable proposition with form on all types of going. A two-time Group 2 winner from the champion Chris Waller stable – she won’t be on the top of any slot holders list but if she can turn it on first-up will create plenty of buzz.

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