Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 2

Posted on | Posted by Paul Joice

1. Nature Strip
Previous Ranking: 1st
Last Start: April 4, TJ Smith Stakes (1st)

No movement for my number one pick. These are Power Rankings and Nature Strip is all power. His ability to sustain a high cruising speed forces his rivals out of their comfort zone. This Chris Waller-trained six-year-old doesn’t just beat his opposition, he demolishes them. Two trials this time around have been electric and is already a proven Group 1 weight-for-age sprinter. He is a wrecking ball and punters can’t get enough of him. Due to resume on Saturday in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick.

2. Farnan
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Last Start: March 21, Golden Slipper (1st)

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have one serious colt on their hands. Left his fellow two-year-olds in his wake when devouring the feature sprint races last season and by the look of his two trials at Randwick this time around – has come back even better. Has the tactical speed to camp right on the back of Nature Strip and will get a favourable pull in the weights. He is a very real danger. We won’t have to wait much longer with the Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 12 his kick-off point.

3. Classique Legend
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Last Start: June 6, June Stakes (1st)

It appeared the flashy grey gelding would venture to Hong Kong after his luckless sixth in the 2019 Everest. But a change of heart will see the Les Bridge-trained galloper back to make amends. The ability to settle close to the action combined with a stunning turn of acceleration makes this five-year-old a genuine winning chance. Took out a Newcastle trial last week and couldn’t have been more impressive.

4. Gytrash
Previous Ranking: 4th
Last Start: May 16, The Goodwood (2nd)

Here is the horse to provide a fairytale result for South Australian trainer Gordon Richards and his knockabout collection of owners. On recent form it’s hard not to see him figuring in the finish. Genuine Group 1 sprint form through the autumn and caught the eye flashing home in his first Sydney appearance when trialling recently at Warwick Farm. Scheduled to take on Nature Strip in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes (1000m) so we’ll get a good read on him.

5. Bivouac
Previous Ranking: 5th
Last Start: April 18, All Aged Stakes (5th)

Godolphin have their own slot this year and this four-year-old son of Exceed And Excel looks their number one candidate. When he’s on song, he’s something special. The Newmarket win down the Flemington straight was spine-tingling and that’s what he will bring to The Everest. An excitement machine capable of matching it with the best. Recent Hawkesbury trial was spot on.

6. Anders
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: August 29, San Domenico Stakes (1st)

Here is the power mover in this week’s power rankings. Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have made it clear they now have The Everest firmly on their radar with this three-year-old son of Not A Single Doubt. A speed machine, his electric display over 1100-metres at Rosehill in winning the San Domenico Stakes will certainly earn the attention of slot holders. Especially considering he’s now done it on wet and dry ground. Punters will be looking closely at any developments with Anders gaining a slot. Nature Strip might just have some competition on pace.

7. Rothfire
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: June 6, JJ Atkins (1st)

A week is a long time in racing. It wasn’t an oversight to leave the Group One winning Queenslander out of the original rankings. A minor setback seven days ago resulted in Robert Heathcote missing a scheduled trial. But on Saturday the three-year-old son of Rothesay scorched turf galloping between races at Eagle Farm. Smashed the clock with a 32.00 seconds 600-metre gallop. An overall record of 6 wins and a second from 7 starts is hard to ignore and the rumour mill is rife that some of the slot holders have him short-listed.

8. Fasika
Previous Ranking: 6th
Last Start: April 18, All Aged Stakes (3rd)

A slight slide down the power rankings this week but nothing to worry about. I’m still confident she’s the best roughie. A strapping daughter of So You Think with only 10 starts under her belt – she looks set for her best campaign yet. Didn’t have an ideal preparation in the autumn yet still managed to snare a Group 1 placing under weight-for-age conditions. Handles all ground and has the perfect racing style for this year’s Everest. Can camp right on the back of the speed and loves getting in for the fight. Edged out Gytrash in a recent Warwick Farm trial.

9. North Pacific
Previous Ranking: 7th
Last Start: August 15, Up & Coming Stakes (1st)

The new kid on the block and he’s making some serious noise. A cracking type by Brazen Beau and fits the criteria that slot holders will be looking for – a three-year-old on the up. Team Hawkes are planning an assault on the Golden Rose and that form-line produced the winner of last year’s Everest through runner-up Yes Yes Yes. Gave his fellow three-year-olds a thumping in the Up & Coming Stakes and only three starts into his career – the sky really is the limit.

10. Tofane
Previous Ranking: 10th
Last Start: April 18, All Aged Stakes (1st)

Here is one for the form students. Mike Moroney’s now five-year-old mare went out for a spell on a high after winning the All Aged Stakes. Finishing behind her there were Fasika and Bivouac. Her run prior to that was an eye-catching fifth in the TJ Smith Stakes. Was only three lengths behind Nature Strip and closed off better than anything and once again had the wood on Bivouac. She’s a quiet achiever but with Group 1 winning weight-for-age form firmly stamped on her resume must surely enter Everest calculations. The Group 2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) at Flemington is her expected starting point on September 12.

11. Alligator Blood
Previous Ranking: 11th
Last Start: March 14, All Star Mile (10th)

This Group 1 winning Queenslander would add plenty of interest if he was to secure a slot. Trainer David Vandyke was formerly based in Sydney and there is no doubt that his four-year-old All Too Hard gelding is right up to Group 1 weight-for-age company. But his best hope would be to tackle it fresh, before he starts to look for more ground with his biggest victory coming over a mile. I don’t think he’ll be a late pick-up, so I’ve got him well down the order.

12. Catalyst
Previous Ranking: 12th
Last Start: February 29, Australian Guineas (6th)

The big hope for the Kiwis. His ding-dong battle with Alligator Blood in the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington during the autumn was a classic. It stamped the now four-year-old as a potential star. A flop in the Australian Guineas was disappointing, but the ability is there and he looked sharp winning a recent trial back home. The trainer has made his intentions clear – he wants a crack at The Everest. Now he just needs a slot holder to come up with the right deal.

Dropping Out: Rubisaki, Peltzer

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