Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 4

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

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

Last year’s runner up who replaces Joliestar at the top of the rankings after her third placed effort at Rosehill on Saturday. Kicked off his Everest quest in the Moir (1000m) recently turning 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 outing is likely to be the Manikato Stakes on September 27 at The Valley over a more suitable 1200m.

2. BELLA NIPOTINA
Last Week: 3
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 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. Next start is likely to be this coming Saturday in The Shorts at Randwick.

3. GIGA KICK
Last Week: 4
Current Odds: $8.50

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 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 3 weeks, he will trial at Canterbury prior to that outing.

4. SUNSHINE IN PARIS
Last Week: 5
Current Odds: $8

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 resumed in the Sheraco on Saturday at Rosehill & couldn’t have been any more impressive charging to victory on dry ground. She lowered Joliestar’s colours which is no mean feat considering what that mare had done 3 weeks prior. The Everest is 5 weeks away & we’re unlikely to see her on race day until then, she may step out in a trial prior to keep her ticking over.

5. JOLIESTAR
Last Week: 1
Current Odds: $11

Well, I had egg on my face on Saturday as I’d been her biggest fan & fully expected another ‘walk in the park’ performance however she just didn’t have the same spark. Yes, the race wasn’t run to suit with the leader tearing along in front courtesy of a saddle shift which resulted in her settling well back & out of her comfort zone. Nevertheless, she was no match at all for Sunshine in Paris when the sprint went on early in the straight & gave me the impression she’s looking for further which is no surprise as she is a Group 1 winner over a mile. I’ve relegated her from top seed to no.5 in the rankings as I just can’t see her turning the tables on Sunshine In Paris over 1200m going forward however Chris Waller has trained a few more Group 1 winners than I have suggesting it’s far from impossible!

6. PRIVATE EYE
Last Week: 6
Current Odds: $17

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 recently closing from the back coming wide making good ground. Trainer Joe Pride has him up & running a little earlier this time around & he’s nominated for The Shorts at Randwick on Saturday which figures to be a cracking race & a great Everest guide.

7. THINK ABOUT IT
Last Week 7
Current Odds: $15

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 just over a week ago 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: 8
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 resumed in the Moir when closing the race off very strongly carrying 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. TRAFFIC WARDEN
Last Week: Unranked
Current Odds: $11

Accounted for Storm Boy in The Run To The Rose on Saturday in impressive fashion which has thrusted him into Everest calculations. He’s a very versatile 3yo who led all the way in the Sires at Flemington, he then parked on speed almost winning the Sydney version before being runover by Manaal late. His fast-finishing effort on Saturday & similar efforts in the Golden Slipper & Blue Diamond suggest he’s no one trick pony. Whilst trainer James Cummings is very keen to get him into The Everest his immediate aim will be the Group 1 Golden Rose on Saturday week.

10. STORM BOY
Last Week: 9
Current Odds: $14

Back in winning form at Rosehill first up 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 fresh looking like a complete beast & he monstered his opposition. Second-up beaten in the Run To The Rose on Saturday there were valid excuses as he did miss the start & was then sent forward. By the same token once he got there the race wasn’t run at any great speed & the winner Traffic Warden ran home right over the top of him. I’ve relegated him one spot.

11. GROWING EMPIRE
Last Week: 11
Current Odds: $9.50

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. Second up in the mud at Flemington on Saturday he raced up on speed, he beat off his on paced rivals however First Settler than emerged & looked like running right on by, not on my watch said Growing Empire as he found another gear racing clear to the line. I was very close to moving him up a few slots however at this stage would like to see him take on stronger opposition before getting carried away, he’s doing everything right though & both The Everest & The Coolmore are on his radar.

12. LADY OF CAMELOT
Last Week: 10
Current Odds: $17

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. She resumed recently in the Moir at The Valley & although engaged in a pressure duel up front they didn’t go all that hard & I thought that run was a little disappointing. She’s nominated for The Shorts this coming Saturday & The Golden Rose the following week.

Dropping out – Bustling

Coming in – Traffic Warden

Odds correct at the time of publication.

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