Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 2

Posted on | Posted by Sam Hyland

There’s no change to the rankings this week, but with a number of contenders heading to the races on Saturday, and Pierata having another audition, I’ll be watching with great interest to determine who is on song and who needs to lift.

1. Vega Magic
Previous Rank: 1st
Last Start: July 28, Bletchingly Stakes (1st)

After his brilliant first up win in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m), this bloke steps up to the 1400m of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes on Saturday, where he’ll again take some catching. The Lindsay Park team had him wound up fresh to ensure he won and secured a berth in the race. Right on track.

2. Redzel
Previous Rank: 2nd
Last Start: May 12, Doomben 10,000 (4th)

Last year’s winner resumes at Randwick in Saturday’s Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m), but with fellow Everest entrant Invincible Star also set to line up, it won’t be a walk in the park. I’m keen to see to how forward he is.

3. Trapeze Artist
Previous Rank: 3rd
Last Start: April 21, All Aged Stakes (1st)

He’s a serious racehorse, this guy, and proven at the elite level. He’ll be aimed to peak for this race and has to be one of the horses to beat, based on his awesome win in the T.J Smith Stakes in March.

4. Pierata
Previous Rank: 4th
Last Start: August 4, Missile Stakes (1st)

Still without a slot in the race, but that could all change if he blows them away in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. I expect he will have come on in leaps and bounds from that awesome first up win in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m).

5. U S Navy Flag
Previous Rank: 5th
Last Start: July 14, July Cup UK (1st)

It’s great to see an international in the race, and this bloke shouldn’t be underestimated. Master Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien knows what it takes to win a race of this magnitude. His July Cup win at Newmarket in July was enormous.

6. Invincible Star
Previous Rank: 6th
Last Start: November 4, Coolmore Stakes (2nd)

News came through last Wednesday that this speedy mare had been taken by slot holders GPI Racing. She’s been trialing like a megastar, and now she goes to the races this weekend, she meets Redzel in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m). Will firm in betting if she wins.

7. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Rank: 7th
Last Start: June 9, Stradbroke Handicap (1st)

The triple Group 1 winner resumes in Saturday’s Group 3 The Heath 1100 Stakes, and while I expect it to be too short for him, I want to see him hitting the line.

8. Shoals
Previous Rank: 8th
Last Start: May 5, Sangster Stakes (1st)

Like her stablemate (Santa Ana Lane), this mare keeps stepping up to the plate. She’s tough, has a great record (10:7-2-0), and a great turn of foot. Her Sangster win in Adelaide in May was breathtaking.

9. Nature Strip
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Start: July 28, Lightning Stakes (1st)

He’s obviously one of the most exciting 1000/1100m horses in the country, but whether he can be as effective at 1200m at this level remains to be seen. Still without a slot.

10. English
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Start: May 26, Kingsford-Smith Cup (4th)

I’m not sure she’s a top-liner, but she’s terribly honest, and from the right stable (Waterhouse/Bott).

11. In Her Time
Previous Rank: 1th
Last Start: May 12, Doomben 10,000 (9th)

She’s getting better all the time, this mare, and her Galaxy win in March was terrific. She was disappointing in the Doomben 10,000, and I’m keen to see how she’s come back.

12. Brave Smash
Previous Rank: 12th
Last Start: April 21, All Aged Stakes (Last)

Reported to be going really well, so looking forward to seeing him step out in Saturday’s Group 3 The Heath 1100 Stakes. Yet to win first up.

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