Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 3

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

1. JOLIESTAR
Last Week: 1
Current Odds: $5

For quite some time my opinion of this mare has been that she’s a star in waiting. The fact Chris Waller cut short her autumn campaign winning her only start (Group 1 Arrowfield) with other options on the table suggested I was on the right page. Her dominant winning return to racing now leaves me in no doubt whatsoever, yes it was a long way from an Everest however she just toyed with her opposition being geared right down by J. Mac yet still clocking quicker time than other races over the same distance on the day. Her time rating was higher than the Group 1 Winx Stakes won by her star stablemate Via Sistina. Nominated for the Theo Marks & Sheraco Stakes this Saturday at Rosehill Kerrin McEvoy will ride as James McDonald will head to Melbourne to ride Via Sistina in the Group 1 Makybe Diva at Flemington. Can’t wait to see her again!

2. I WISH I WIN
Last Week: 2
Current Odds: $5

Last year’s runner up who comfortably won a Pakenham jump out under no pressure whatsoever. He’ll have a ton of improvement to come as he’s not long been back in the Moody/Coleman stables after a successive winter campaign in Brisbane. Kicked off his Everest quest in the Moir on Saturday putting in a cracking run from the back of the field. The tempo wasn’t there to suit yet there he was powering home late beaten just over a length breaking 11 seconds for his final 200m which was the quickest late split of the entire meeting. Next run is likely to be the Manikato Stakes on September 27 at The Valley over a more suitable 1200m.

3. BELLA NIPOTINA
Last Week: 4
Current Odds: $7

Iron mare who had an outstanding winter in Brisbane racing in 4 Group 1 events winning twice & running close seconds the others. She seems to thrive on racing, trainer Ciaron Maher certainly has her worked out & importantly she’ll handle any track condition, the surface on the day will not worry her as she showed running 2nd at Randwick on a heavy (8) in the T.J. Smith during the autumn. First up on Saturday at Randwick she produced an outstanding finish to go down narrowly behind her stablemate I Am Me. On a day of fast times her closing split was the second fastest of the entire day, amazingly she broke 32 seconds for her final 600m over a trip which is short of her best. She’s right on track.

4. GIGA KICK
Last Week: 3
Current Odds: $9.50

Long odds Everest winner back in 2022 he’s only had the 5 starts since having his campaign for this race last year abruptly halted due to injury. He tore a muscle between his hamstring and hip which took longer to heal than expected resulting in him also missing this year’s autumn features. With two trials under his belt he resumed in the Concorde at Randwick on Saturday finishing out of the placings, his effort wasn’t disappointing as he raced wide throughout, was off the long break yet was good through the line. I’d suggest his next run will be a far better guide to exactly where he’s at, that’s likely to be in the Premiere Stakes in just under 4 weeks, he will trial at Canterbury prior to that outing.

5. SUNSHINE IN PARIS
Last Week: 6
Current Odds: $16

Lightly raced mare who was well in contention for last year’s race before suffering a minor foreleg injury which put an end to her entire spring campaign. She’d beaten Espiona first up, had been assured of a slot & looked a great chance before bad luck struck. She was then narrowly beaten first up last prep in the Galaxy before striking consecutive heavy tracks which are not her go. She now had the 2 trials running a close up last in the first of those beaten just over 2 lengths in a hot field asked for no effort, the latest was a good 3rd again under no urgings looking to have plenty in reserve. She’s nominated to resume this coming Saturday in the Sheraco where she may well take on the top ranked Joliestar.

6. PRIVATE EYE
Last Week: Unranked
Current Odds: $15

Placed at both Everest attempts to date I’d been tossing up whether or not to include him however thought it best to see him go around before making any judgement. Well, he’s certainly in now after a solid return in The Concorde at Randwick on Saturday closing from the back coming wide making good ground. Trainer Joe Pride has him up & running a little earlier this time around & will no doubt space his next run before heading off to the big one. His run on Saturday suggested there’s a lot more improvement to come, he just cannot be overlooked.

7. THINK ABOUT IT
Last Week 7
Current Odds: $17

I’ve left last year’s winner in the mix however he was disappointing in the autumn/winter; he didn’t have a lot go his way first up (dragged back) however his next 3 starts all resulted in unplaced performances. He’s clearly up to the task & Joe Pride is a master trainer who will be doing all he can to get him back on track. He stepped out in a Randwick trial on Monday running a close 3rd under a very tight grip in a hot field including the likes of Stefi Magnetica & Fangirl. I’d suggest we’ll see him in another trial before he resumes in the Premiere on October 5, then it’s straight on to The Everest following exactly the same path as last year.

8. HAYASUGI
Last Week: 9
Current Odds: $23

Fast finishing Blue Diamond Stakes winner who went into the Golden Slipper a month later drawing the second from outside gate. Unfortunately everything went pear shaped at the start with jockey Jamie Kah almost being tipped out of the saddle twice, that run needs to be clearly forgotten. She trialled well at Cranbourne clocking in 3rd behind the speedy & recent winner Pharari over 800m prior to her return in the Moir last Saturday when closing the race off very strongly. She carried a lot less weight than I Wish I Win & couldn’t quite match his sectional however again with a light weight in The Everest she deserves her spot in the top 10.

9. STORM BOY
Last Week: 8
Current Odds: $12

Back in winning form at Rosehill just over a week ago making a big statement. Reigning Magic Millions champ who was sold for a fortune & probably didn’t quite live up to all the hype in the autumn however I don’t know many owners who wouldn’t be happy with a Golden Slipper 3rd & a Sires Produce 4th so perhaps he was judged too harshly after enduring that tough summer campaign. His lead up trials had been pass marks without getting carried away however he turned up on Saturday looking like a complete beast & he monstered his opposition. Off he goes to the Run To The Rose on Saturday followed by The Golden Rose a fortnight later. An Everest decision will be made after that.

10. LADY OF CAMELOT
Last Week: 5
Current Odds: $16

Reigning Golden Slipper champion who in all fairness should have landed the big double as she was very unlucky not to win the Blue Diamond as well. Although beaten at her final run last prep she gave the winner Eneeza 4kg & that filly came through nearer the inside taking the shortcuts whereas Lady Of Camelot closed off wider on the track, she lost no admirers letting down very well beaten less than a length on the line. First trial sound, second trial she safely accounted for Giga Kick. She resumed last Saturday in the Moir at The Valley & although engaged in a pressure duel up front they didn’t go all that hard. She’s the one I’ve dropped down the list this week as on face value I thought that run was a little disappointing.

11. GROWING EMPIRE
Last Week: 10
Current Odds: $15

Effortless winner first up at Caulfield recently. Fair to say he didn’t beat any stars & has a fair way to go as an Everest chance however he’s only a lightly raced 3yo with a ton of upside & is in the right yard to improve plenty in a short space of time. He sat 3 & 4 deep before being eased into clear running on the turn & once in the straight showed a ‘turn of foot’ to put his rivals away in no time before being abruptly eased down to win with a lot more in the tank. Owned by Yulong they may well choose him as their Everest runner having a slot in the race, at this stage though his major aim is The Coolmore at Flemington in November. He’s in the nominations for Flemington on Saturday, can he reproduce that last start dominance? Let’s hope so!

12. BUSTLING
Last Week: 11
Current Odds: $15

Boom West Australian 2yo who was the first horse to gain a spot in this year’s Everest & as it stands there are still only two, he & I Wish I Win. Beaten only once within his 5 starts to date there didn’t appear to be any excuses at the defeat, he couldn’t get to the winner however is unbeaten since & turned the tables on that runner in the Karrakatta. Sold for around the 2-million-dollar mark purchased by some big hitting owners he joins a stable who are no strangers to winning feature races. He trialled nicely at Cranbourne placing under a hard hold behind the smart Estriella before leading throughout to win a Rosehill trial last week without being pressured. He’ll resuming in this week’s Run To The Rose which will be a cracking race, that’s where we’ll find out just how good he is.

Dropping out – Switzerland

Coming in – Private Eye

Odds correct at the time of publication.

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