1. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Rank: 1st
Last Start: April 28, The Chairman’s Sprint Prize – Sha Tin (4th)
Has developed into arguably the best sprinter in the country and no doubt Team Freedman will have him trained to the minute. A super sprinter that rarely runs a bad race and deserves top billing.
2. Classique Legend
Previous Rank: 3rd
Last Start: April 13, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1st)
Not hard to mount a case he could be undefeated and by securing an early slot, this emerging sprinter can be prepared with one race in mind. His two recent trials have been outstanding and he has the right profile to be a leading Everest contender. Interestingly, Kerrin McEvoy has opted to ride Redzel, meaning Nash Rawiller is likely to be offered the ride.
3. Redzel
Previous Rank: 2nd
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (1st)
The two-time Everest champion was brilliant in winning the Concorde last Saturday, silencing his critics in doing so. He didn’t fire a shot in the autumn, but he’s definitely a spring horse. Kerrin McEvoy has put his faith in the old boy, which is a great lead.
4. Pierata
Previous Rank: 5th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (2nd)
Turned in an eye-catching return behind Redzel over 1000m in the Concorde, running some sizzling sectionals. That was an ideal pipe opener en route to The Everest.
5. Arcadia Queen
Previous Rank: 4th
Last Start: November 24, Kingston Town Classic (1st)
The Perth glamour mare steps out in Sydney for the first time on Saturday after some impressive trials. Keen to see how she performs in her new environment and against some stuff opposition.
6. Enticing Star
Previous Rank: 7th
Last Start: December 1, Winterbottom Stakes (2nd)
Was set to resume against her stablemate Arcardia Queen in Sydney on Saturday, but Bob Peters has indicated that we’ll likely see her in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill in two weeks. Probably a rung below Arcadia Queen, but has stacks of ability.
7. Osborne Bulls
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Start: May 11, Doomben 10,000 (2nd)
Despite the fact he has become a perennial Group 1 runner-up, there’s no denying he is one of the top sprinters in the land and I reckon he can be an Everest force. Looking forward to seeing him resume.
8. Alizee
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Start: August 31, Memsie Stakes (3rd)
After a soft win first-up in Sydney, her run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield was outstanding and she has the versatility and quality to freshen up and be a force in The Everest.
9. Sunlight
Previous Rank: 6th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (5th)
Performed below expectations when resuming behind Redzel in the Concorde but was deemed mildly lame in the post-race stewards report. Has the talent to be competitive in The Everest but has had a less than ideal start to her campaign.
10. In Her Time
Previous Rank: 8th
Last Start: March 9, Newmarket Handicap (6th)
Her trial on her home track at Newcastle last month suggest she is in good order ahead of her first-up run. Probably needs to go up a gear to be winning The Everest, but she has the right trainer (Kris Lees).
11. Nature Strip
Previous Rank: 11th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (4th)
Seemed to resent being restrained when resuming behind Redzel in the Concorde. He is blessed with an incredible amount of natural talent and speed, but the challenge now is to harness those qualities in a manner to have him perform to his best at the 1200m of The Everest.
12. Libertini
Previous Rank: 12th
Last Start: September 7, Furious Stakes (1st)
An extremely exciting three-year-old, whose second-up victory at the weekend wasn’t as electrifying as her fresh win. I reckon she would measure up in the race if she gains a start.
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