Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 1

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

1. JOLIESTAR
Last Start: Aug 24, Show County Quality (1st)
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 return to racing last Saturday 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. As to whether she races again before the big one, no decision has been made at this stage.

2. I WISH I WIN
Last Start: June 1, Kingsford Smith Cup (1st)
Current Odds: $4.80

Last year’s runner up who comfortably won a recent 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. At this stage his comeback run will be in the Moir (1000m) followed by the Manikato (1200m) both at The Valley then it’s on to The Everest he goes.

3. GIGA KICK
Last Start: Sep 9, McEwan Stakes (3rd)
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. He’s had the one trial to date running 2nd to the Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot at Randwick where he was safely held under slight urgings from J. Mac. He’s set to trial again this coming Friday before resuming in the Concorde Stakes 8 days later. I’ve kept him in the top 3 at this early stage however I’m a little dubious he’ll return to his best form.

4. BELLA NIPOTINA
Last Start: June 29, Tattersall’s Tiara (1st)
Current Odds: $10

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. At this stage she’s set to either kick off her Everest quest in either the Concorde or the Moir on the 7th of September.

5. LADY OF CAMELOT
Last Start: April 13, Percy Sykes Stakes (2nd)
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. First trial sound, second trial she safely accounted for Giga Kick, she could be another to resume in a very hot looking Moir Stakes early next month.

6. SUNSHINE IN PARIS
Last Start: April 20, All Aged Stakes (4th)
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 may have run last in a recent trial however was only beaten 2.2 lengths in a hot field asked for no effort. She’ll likely have one more trial before resuming in the Sheraco Stakes on 14th September.

7. THINK ABOUT IT
Last Start: June 1, Kingsford Smith Cup (5th)
Current Odds: $16

At this early stage once we get away from the top 5 or 6 the winning chances appear quite limited, I’m very aware that could change though. 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. Not sighted at the trials as yet.

8. HAYASUGI
Last Start: March 24, Golden Slipper Stakes (last)
Current Odds: $34

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 too is likely to tackle the Moir Stakes in under 2 weeks & will get in nice & light with only the 50kg. She’s trialled well at Cranbourne clocking in 3rd behind the speedy Pharari over 800m.

9. GATSBY’S
Last Start: Aug17, The Rosebud (1st)
Current Odds: $15

Big wraps on this then 2yo when he stepped out on a Friday night at Canterbury in February when backed into odds-on favouritism, he endured a bit of a battle however did enough to get the job done & land the big bets. He didn’t really fire at his only other outing just turning in a so-so performance in the Pago Pago, the wraps did come off a little after that & Chris Waller decided to pull up stumps on his prep. Well, he couldn’t have been more impressive winning first up recently & the hype around him has since returned, whether he’s up to an Everest I have my doubts however at this early stage he’s a player. Nominated to run at Rosehill on Saturday in the San Domenico.

10. BUSTLING
Last Start: May 4, Ascot (1st)
Current Odds: $14

Boom West Australian 2yo who was the first horse to gain a spot in this year’s Everest & as it stands there are 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 new owners he joins a stable who are no strangers to winning big. He trialled nicely at Cranbourne on Monday placing under hard hold. Untapped talent, how will he measure up?

Odds correct at the time of publication.

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