Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 8

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

Previous week’s ranking in brackets

1. KA YING RISING (1)

Last Start: September 6, HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (HK) (1st)

Hong Kong superstar & reigning Everest champ who has carried the number one ranking for all 8 weeks. Not raced since resuming at Sha Tin back in early September absolutely blowing his rivals away taking almost a full second off his 1200m track record clocking an unbelievable 1.06.11. He’s been through the quarantine process, has had his much-anticipated barrier trial (6/10) when doing pretty much as expected & he looked sharp in a track gallop at Canterbury on Monday.  His record tells you he’s the world’s best sprinter however there are a couple of niggles from my viewpoint. Firstly, the wet track, just how wet is unknown at this early stage however he’s clearly a top of the ground horse, secondly the wide gate & multiple on speed competitors, I’d suggest Zac Purton will be happy to ease & sit a few lengths away rather than looking to race on the lead. I’m not the only one with those thoughts which has resulted in his price easing a little, who knows he may start close to black figures!

2. TEMPTED (2)

Last Start: October 3, Premiere Stakes (1st)

Beaten just over a length when in receipt of 7.5kg from Ka King Rising last year, keep in mind as an older mare this time around that gap in the weights closes to only 2kg. The market suggests she’s the only danger & I can’t disagree with that, she’s a better horse this year & the stable seem to be winning Group 1’s for fun at the moment so she’s certainly in the right environment. Her first up win was impressive however the Premiere win second-up was something else, giving the leader 7 lengths at the top of the straight she unleashed a monster finish clocking a sub 22 second final 400m sectional on a soft (6) track! Scintillating stuff! The barrier draw is an interesting one, the rails gate doesn’t set up well as she likes to get into clear running & cut loose, there’s no doubt she’s going to need an ounce of luck & also hope that section of the track is not inferior.

3. JOLIESTAR (3)

Last Start: September 19, The Shorts (2nd)

5-time Group 1 winner, just an absolute professional this mare, kind of horse we’d all love to own as she never puts in a bad run. Three local outings last prep she won them all before being sent to Royal Ascot where she was far from disgraced clocking in a narrowly beaten third in a very tight QE II Jubilee Stakes finish. She’s had two previous attempts at this race beaten the same margin (1.6L) on each occasion, both were very respectable efforts & note she’s following exactly the same path as she did last year. Her run in The Shorts was tough sitting deep throughout facing the breeze, she kept finding the line though showing all her customary fight to grab a late second. She went around in the Ninja/Ka Ying Rising trial (6/10) finishing just over 3 lengths away with J. Mac keeping her under a very tight hold. She had plenty to offer however that energy is being saved up for Saturday & I’d say she’s spot on.

4. JIMMYSSTAR (4)

Last Start: September 27, Manikato Stakes (1st)

4-time Group 1 winner who is the owner of a big finishing burst. Connections rolled the dice last year in this race pushing forward from a wide draw, unfortunately he couldn’t get in ending up parked wide throughout, honest as ever he toughed it out right to the line to hold down third spot. Disappointing first up in the Memsie the jury was out, had we seen the best of him? With the blinkers going on for the first time next start he answered that question in no uncertain terms mowing down his opposition to land the Manikato at Caulfield smashing the sectional clock running a sub 22 second final 400m, the only horse in the race to accomplish that feat. He’s back big time & will be nice & fresh for Saturday with a draw connections would be happy with.

5. NINJA (7)

Last Start: September 19, The Shorts (9th)

He’s a hard one to get a handle on, I’m not really sure if he’s a little below this level or he’s right up to it. He won the Missile Stakes first up which wasn’t the strongest of fields before a victim of the lack of tempo in The Shorts which handed the race to Mazu leading all the way. Add to that, he sat well back & 4 deep throughout suggesting we completely forgive the run. It’s not easy beating Ka Ying Rising in anything, very few have managed it however he did just that in the (6/10) trial pairing out with the defending champ & having the better of him over the concluding stages. Not surprisingly his odds shortened up soon after however he’s still well into double-figures. Note he handles any type of ground.

6. HEADWALL (6)

Last Start: September 19, The Shorts (5th)

Highly thought of as an Everest chance last year those plans came crashing down as he suffered an injury after winning the Concorde. 12 months off the scene he returned in the same race only to be upstaged by the super mare Tempted, fair to say he didn’t have the best of luck & with a clearer run arguably could have beaten her? Can’t go on his effort in The Shorts as he was another victim of the race pattern, interestingly to the eye he peaked near the 100m however he was only one of two runners in the race to break 22 seconds their final 400m. Another to go around in the star-studded (6/10) trial he tucked in nearest the inside behind the speed holding his ground down the straight given an easy time. He’ll be nice & fresh 4 weeks between runs into Saturday which is how he races best, wet ground no issue.

7. ANGEL CAPITAL (8)

Last Start: September 19, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1st)

Very much maligned galloper who hasn’t done punters any favours in recent seasons. Whilst an Everest win seems unlikely, on his day he’s very capable & his win at Caulfield might be a confidence booster. The likely strong tempo will help as he likes to find his feet early before closing hard. He finished next to his stablemate Joliestar in the (6/10) trial going to the line under just as good a hold as the mare. May need a dry deck to show his best?

8. SPICY MARTINI (-)

Last Start: September 19, The Shorts (4th)

Lightly raced Gold Coast filly who is already a Group 1 winner having won the Stradbroke last season on a heavy (9) track. On face value she’s likely to find this too tough however she draws perfectly & we know she handles any type of going, if she can win a Stradbroke on almost a bottomless track then she’s not hopeless in an Everest should we end up racing under similar conditions.

9. SAVVY HALLIE (-)

Last Start: October 3, Premiere Stakes (2nd)

Must come into calculations on the last start second beaten only by the very highly rated Everest second favourite Tempted. Whilst she was no match for the mare & likely won’t be here either she’s an on pacer who will put herself into the race from the outset. Her record on all types of going is good as are her stats here over the 1200m trip. She’s rock hard fit, ready to zo & gets Zac Lloyd to steer.

10. BLUE DOOR (10)

Last Start: September 26, Heritage Stakes (1st)

First to admit I was a huge wrap for this 3yo filly, buoyant she could measure up to strong company. She showed plenty at her short, sharp, initial prep & had trialled well leading into this one. To be honest I was disappointed in her first & second starts of the campaign leading comfortably before being run down over the concluding stages. She proved me wrong third up showing sustained speed to lead throughout however looking back that was an inferior race. Can she win an Everest? I’d be shocked if she did however she’s speedy & going to play a big role early.

CHANGES

IN –     SPICY MARTINI

SAVVY HALLIE

OUT – THE NEXT EPISODE

OVERPASS




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