Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 2

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

1. JOLIESTAR
Last Week: 1
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 dominant winning return to racing 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. At this stage she’s heading to the Sheraco Stakes on September 14 & will have Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle as James McDonald will head to Melbourne to ride Via Sistina in the Group 1 Makybe Diva.

2. I WISH I WIN
Last Week: 2
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. He’ll resumes in this Saturdays Group 1 Moir (1000m) & then all going well it’s on to the Manikato (1200m) both at The Valley, after that it’s full steam ahead to The Everest.

3. GIGA KICK
Last Week: 3
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 now had two trials running 2nd to the Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot at Randwick where he was safely held under slight urgings from J. Mac before overhauling Linebacker also at Randwick last Friday under some urgings. He’s all set to make his much anticipated return this Saturday at Randwick in the Concorde Stakes.

4. BELLA NIPOTINA
Last Week: 4
Current Odds: $11

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. She’s had a jump out at Newcastle & a trial at Warwick Farm (last Tuesday) when cruising into the placings. Stable are wrapped with her condition & she’s all set for Saturday’s Concorde at Randwick.

5. LADY OF CAMELOT
Last Week: 5
Current Odds: $15

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 who has at least franked that trial form! Drawn an inside gate in Saturdays Moir Stakes at the Valley she’s going to prove very hard to beat.

6. SUNSHINE IN PARIS
Last Week: 6
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 now had the 2 trials running a close up last in the first of those beaten just over 2 lengths in a hot field asked for no effort, the latest was a good 3rd again under no urgings, she looked to have a lot more to offer. She’s set to resume in the Sheraco Stakes on 14th September where she likely clashes with the top ranked Joliestar.

7. THINK ABOUT IT
Last Week 7
Current Odds: $17

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. He’s set to trial twice this month before resuming in the Premiere on October 5, then it’s straight on to The Everest following exactly the same path as last year, fair enough too, why deviate!

8. STORM BOY
Last Week: Unranked
Current Odds: $12

Well, didn’t he make a statement at Rosehill on Saturday! 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 on Saturday looking like a complete beast & he monstered his opposition. He now heads to the Run To The Rose in a fortnight followed by The Golden Rose 2 weeks later. An Everest decision will be made after that.

9. HAYASUGI
Last Week: 8
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’s trialled well at Cranbourne clocking in 3rd behind the speedy Pharari over 800m & has accepted for the star-studded Moir Stakes on Saturday at The Valley where she gets in nice & light with only 50kg.

10. GROWING EMPIRE
Last Week: Unranked
Current Odds: $15

Effortless winner first up at Caulfield on Saturday. 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 & 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. Owned by Yulong they may well choose him as their Everest runner having a slot in the race, at this stage though his major aim is The Coolmore at Flemington in November.

11. BUSTLING
Last Week: 10
Current Odds: $15

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 a week ago placing under a hard hold behind Estriella who is well fancied in the Moir. Untapped talent, how will he measure up?

12. SWITZERLAND
Last Week: Unranked
Current Odds: $26

Clearly excuses in the Slipper which was his first defeat in 4 career starts. He’s always been well hyped & his immediate aim is The Golden Rose however I just like the way he’s been trialling having has the two hit outs to date. Yes, he’s been out of the placings on each occasion however just looks to my eye as he’s being well held & will have a ton to offer when he gets to race day. He was nominated last week however didn’t accept, not in this week’s nominations his return won’t be far away.

Dropping out – Gatsby’s

Coming in – Storm Boy, Growing Empire, Switzerland

Odds correct at the time of publication.

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