Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 3

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

Previous week’s ranking in brackets

1.KA YING RISING (1)

Last Start: September 6, HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (HK) (1st)

How are they going to beat him! Hong Kong superstar & reigning Everest champ who will remain well clear at the top of these rankings right up until race day & that’s an absolute given! His return to the track at Sha Tin on Sunday was simply outstanding taking almost a full second off his 1200m track record clocking an unbelievable 1.06.11. There were six 200m splits in the race & he ran the quickest of all runners in each one, something that is rarely seen. Now in quarantine as he readies himself for Sydney, he’ll head off to the trials once settled in which will top him off nicely for his Everest defence.

2. TEMPTED (3)

Last Start: September 5, Concorde Stakes (1st)

Now 4yo mare who chased home Ka Ying Rising in this race last year beaten just over a length when in receipt of 7.5kg from the Hong Kong champ. Now a proven form line as she joins him having remained undefeated in the autumn winning all 3 starts which included her Group 1 breakthrough in the Surround Stakes. Well, that sequence is now 4 following her first up win in the Concorde on Saturday showing a neat ‘turn of foot’ clocking a 10.2 second split between the 400-200m before being given an easy time over the final 100m. Keep in mind the weight gap between her & Ka Ying Rising this time around will be slashed to 2kg under the weight-for-age scale which certainly makes her task a tougher one however to the eye she’s improved over the break (so has Ka Ying Rising) …! She’s set to race next in The Premiere at Randwick on October 3 then it’s straight into the big one.

3. JOLIESTAR (2)

Last Start: June 20, Royal Ascot (UK) (3rd)

Super mare who’s been successful at the highest level on 5 occasions. She had 3 local runs last prep winning them all before being sent to Royal Ascot where she was far from disgraced clocking in a narrowly beaten third in a very tight QE II Jubilee Stakes finish. She’s had two previous attempts at this race beaten the same margin (1.6L) on each occasion, both were very respectable efforts. Under no urgings whatsoever she clocked in 5th at Randwick in a trial (28/8) beaten 2.4 lengths before given a similarly easy time Tuesday morning (8/9) when beaten 3.4 lengths. She’s set to resume in The Shorts at Randwick on September 19.

4. HEADWALL (5)

Last Start: September 5, Concorde Stakes (2nd)

Well, he finally returned to the racetrack last Saturday when out to defend his Concorde Stakes title at Randwick he’d won 12 months earlier. He’d had a couple of lead-up trials, the first was a real eye catcher running on well under a very strong hold, the second he chased the runaway leader/winner home without threat, again he was given an easy time of it. Back worse than midfield at the top of the straight on Saturday he had eventual winner Tempted to his outside, whilst that mare went wider with her finish he was sent looking for gaps & weaved through successfully before running into traffic near the 200m. Whilst he was treading water a little she was really letting down with a big dash & raced to a clear lead. Loved the way he picked up the pieces though & dashed home late. Set to race again in The Shorts at Randwick Saturday week.

5. GUEST HOUSE (4)

Last Start: August 29, San Domenico Stakes (1st)

Reigning Golden Slipper winner who burst into Everest discussions when smashing the Slipper curse landing the San Domenico first up at Rosehill recently. Most expected him to be in need of the run drifting slightly in the market however that was news to him with Zac Lloyd squeezing him through along the inside rail to finish full of running. He’s the first Golden Slipper winner to score as an older male since 2012 & the first to land the Slipper/San Domenico double since 1991. Post race connections suggested the Golden Rose is his likely next major target, he’s not down to run anywhere over this upcoming weekend.

6. JIMMYSSTAR (6)

Last Start: August 29, Memsie Stakes (9th)

3-time Group 1 winner who is the owner of a big finishing burst. His pattern is to get back in his races & often needs luck getting through the field or tempo to suit, pretty much the tale of woe for every backmarker! Connections rolled the dice last year in this race pushing forward, unfortunately he couldn’t get in ending up parked wide throughout, honest as ever he toughed it out right to the line to hold down third spot. He disappointed on face value first up in the Memsie recently, perhaps the way the race unfolded worked against him? I’ll give him another chance however I’m starting to feel he’s not quite the same Jimmy we know & love.

7. BEIWACHT (7)

Last Start: August 29 Memsie Stakes (1st)

Made it three 1400m Group 1 victories with his demolition job in the Memsie. Straight to the front he just ran his rivals into the ground & never at any stage looked like being run down. Interestingly there are no 1400m Group 1 races at weight for age until later in the carnival, will connections consider easing him up & having a crack at the Everest, not his pet distance however there’s not a lot else around & he certainly wouldn’t be out of his depth. Owned by Godolphin they do hold a slot however Tempted is favoured to take that, any other slot holders interested? I’d say so… Next race could be the Manikato in just over a fortnight, he’s also nominated for the rich Golden Eagle a month later.

8. NINJA (9)

Last Start: August 8, Missile Stakes (1st)

Missile Stakes winner first up who should have plenty of improvement to come. Very tidy fourth in a star-studded Rosehill trial on Tuesday (8/9) he found the line well under no urgings from jockey Tommy Berry & looks to have enjoyed his time away from the stable since that impressive first up win. Next start for him the be The Shorts in just over a week followed by The Premiere a fortnight later then it’s on to the big one.

9. LADY SHENANDOAH (10)

Last Start: August 22, Winx Stakes (4th)

A little disappointing when resuming in the Winx Stakes however we know she’s better than that. Hard to gauge her trial efforts as she was given soft times in both looking to have plenty to offer down the straight however not extended. Perhaps she’s not going as well as previous preps? The jury is out at this stage.  She’s nominated to run in the 1200m Group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday a race she should be winning if she’s a serious Everest threat.

10. BEADMAN (-)

Last Start: September 5, Concorde Stakes (3rd)

I’ve promoted him into the top 10 off his first up strong finishing effort on Saturday in the Tempted/Headwall race. Whilst he may not be up to many of these class wise this year’s race likely doesn’t have a long tail & that effort suggested he could be competitive. In a race where they ran some cracking sectional splits his overall time from the 800m to the finish line was quicker than those quinella horses mentioned above & he should take good improvement from the run.  Nominated for the Golden Eagle he may head that way instead?

CHANGES

IN –  BEADMAN

OUT – GIGA KICK

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