Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 3

Posted on | Posted by Paul Joice

1. Gytrash
Previous Ranking: 4th
Last Start: September 5, Concorde Stakes (1st)

The big mover of the week! Didn’t just knock off Nature Strip in the Concorde Stakes, he made him look second rate. The clock matched what the eyes were telling us – he scorched around Randwick. The only box left to tick was handling the Sydney way of going – no more queries on that front. So with the scoreboard Vs Nature Strip now reading an emphatic 2 – 0, we have a new Number One.

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 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 Saturday his kick-off point.

3. Nature Strip
Previous Ranking: 1st
Last Start: September 5, Concorde Stakes (2nd)

Had his flag lowered at Randwick on Saturday when given a decent towelling by Gytrash. Always vulnerable first-up and looking a touch soft in the enclosure, there is plenty of improvement to come. Chris Waller will have his six-year-old peaking on Grand Final day and he’s still the reigning favourite for the big dance on October 17. But it’s looking as though it will be a pressure-packed TAB Everest and the chink in Nature Strip’s armour is certainly absorbing pressure. Has lost his Number One spot and his aura of invincibility.

4. 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 recently and couldn’t have been more impressive.

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. Looked sharp winning a Randwick trial in slick time on Tuesday morning.

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

A fortnight ago the flying Queenslander missed a vital barrier trial due to a minor injury. Now Robert Heathcote’s three-year-old is a confirmed starter. miRunners announced during the week they are backing the son of Rothesay as their representative. A scintillating gallop between races at Eagle Farm nine days ago the clincher. An overall record of 6 wins and a second from 7 starts is hard to ignore and now that he’s earned a start, he’s entrenched in the top half of the Power Rankings. Due to resume on Saturday at Rosehill in the Run to the Rose (1200m).

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

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.

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

Set to resume in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. I’m 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 one of her lead-up trials.

9. North Pacific
Previous Ranking: 9th
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. We should see her in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

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. Due to resume at Doomben on Saturday in an Open Handicap.

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

The big hope for the Kiwis and has been ticking over well since arriving in Sydney. 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. Likely he will resume in The Shorts (1100m) on September 19.

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