Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 3

1. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Rank: 1st
Last Start: April 28, The Chairman’s Sprint Prize – Sha Tin (4th)

Maintains his place at the top of my list and I’m keen to see him back on track. Warms into his preparation nicely and I have no doubt the Freedman camp will time his run to perfection.


2. Redzel
Previous Rank: 2nd
Last Start: April 27, Victory Stakes (2nd)

The two-time defending Everest champion is slated to return to the track in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, and based on his trials, he looks primed for a strong first-up run. I’m keen to see that he still has the zest for racing.


3. Classique Legend
Previous Rank: 3rd
Last Start: April 13, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1st)

I’m really excited about what this four-year-old may deliver this spring. He has an abundance of ability and I reckon will measure up in a race like The Everest.


4. Arcadia Queen
Previous Rank: 4th
Last Start: November 24, Kingston Town Classic (1st)

Sent to Chris Waller alongside Enticing Star after dominating in Perth. Her trials have been first class and she has serious X-factor. Can’t wait for her to make her Sydney debut. Looks a real star.


5. Pierata
Previous Rank: 5th
Last Start: April 20, All Aged Stakes (1st)

Another nominated for the Concorde Stakes. No doubting his ability – he’s a Group 1 winner, after all – but he’s now a five-year-old entire, so I want make sure he still has his mind on the job.


6. Sunlight
Previous Rank: 6th
Last Start: April 6, T J Smith Stakes (3rd)

Following a couple of outstanding trials, this gun mare is likely to resume this weekend. She is nominated for both the Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick and the McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley.


7. Enticing Star
Previous Rank: 7th
Last Start: December 1, Winterbottom Stakes (2nd)

Like her stablemate, she headed east with a massive boom on her and I’m eager to see how she measures up in Sydney. She has stacks of ability and I can see her being a major player.


8. In Her Time
Previous Rank: 8th
Last Start: March 9, Newmarket Handicap (6th)

Seems to be ticking along nicely and never runs a bad race, so you would expect her to again be competitive.


9. Osborne Bulls
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Start: May 11, Doomben 10,000 (2nd)

Third in last year’s Everest, he remains one of Godolphin’s many options for their slot. Hopefully he can break his Group 1 duck this campaign as he certainly deserves to.


10. Alizee
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Start: August 31, Memsie Stakes (3rd)

Her run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on Saturday was outstanding and she has the versatility to freshen up and be a force in The Everest, should they go that way.


11. Nature Strip
Previous Rank: 11th
Last Start: May 11, Doomben 10,000 (4th)

An incredibly fast galloper now in the care of Chris Waller and his recent trial behind Redzel gives an indication that he may be learning to relax a little better during his fast work. If he is able to conserve some of his energy in the early stages of his races he could be even more dynamic than we have seen previously.


12. Libertini
Previous Rank: 12th
Last Start: August 24, Silver Shadow Stakes (1st)

A potential wildcard for a remaining Everest slot, the three-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible has untapped potential. Her first up victory at Randwick was simply breathtaking in near course record time and she gives every indication she will rise to the very top as her career unfolds.

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