1. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Rank: 1st
Last Start: April 28, The Chairman’s Sprint Prize – Sha Tin (4th)
Has looked good in two trials and resumes in a hot renewal of The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday. Has won two of nine first-up and generally builds into a campaign, so don’t be alarmed if he’s not fighting out the finish – he has bigger fish to fry.
2. Classique Legend
Previous Rank: 2nd
Last Start: April 13, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1st)
Another that will resume in The Shorts. His trials have been ultra-impressive and he is one of the most exciting gallopers in the land. Needs to go up a gear this campaign, but has the talent to do just that.
3. Redzel
Previous Rank: 3rd
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (1st)
Following his super first-up win, the two-time Everest champion heads to The Shorts, where he faces stiff opposition. If he wins on Saturday, he probably claims Everest favouritism.
4. Pierata
Previous Rank: 4th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (2nd)
His eye-catching return behind Redzel over 1000m in the Concorde was scintillating and he will likely have come on for that run. Runs in The Shorts and has good second-up form. If they go hard up front, he will again be motoring late. Four of his seven wins are at Randwick.
5. Arcadia Queen
Previous Rank: 5th
Last Start: September 14, Theo Marks Stakes (1st)
Her first-up win in the Theo Marks last Saturday confirmed she has returned in outstanding order and, kept on the fresh side, she is sure to be one of the strongest closers in The Everest. The 1200m of The Everest may just be a tad short, her class will carry her a long way.
6. Enticing Star
Previous Rank: 6th
Last Start: December 1, Winterbottom Stakes (2nd)
Trainer Chris Waller didn’t accept for The Shorts with her. This mare has stacks of ability, but I want her to prove she can mix it with the big guns in Sydney, so her first-up run will be a good guide as to where she fits in The Everest picture. Owner Bob Peters has indicated that we’ll likely see her in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill next Saturday.
7. Osborne Bulls
Previous Rank: 7th
Last Start: May 11, Doomben 10,000 (2nd)
The perennial Group 1 placegetter also kicks off his Everest campaign in The Shorts. His trial last month was solid and he’s a jet fresh (three wins from four starts).
8. Alizee
Previous Rank: 8th
Last Start: August 31, Memsie Stakes (3rd)
Yet to be seen since her slashing run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400m, where she closed off behind Scales Of Justice after settling well out the back. If Godolphin chooses her for their slot, she won’t let them down.
9. Sunlight
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (5th)
Performed below expectations when resuming behind Redzel in the Concorde, was mildly lame and looked big in condition. Should have tightened right up and can bounce back. I want to see her improve on Saturday and expect she will, now that she’s out to 1100m.
10. In Her Time
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Start: March 9, Newmarket Handicap (6th)
Another quality mare that will tackle The Shorts fresh on Saturday. Her recent trial behind stablemate Graff was encouraging, she’s won five of eight fresh, and she should run a bold race.
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. Graff
Previous Rank: Unranked
Last Start: September 7, Concorde Stakes (3rd)
Ran fifth in last year’s Everest and resumed with an eye-catching performance behind Redzel in the Concorde. Although he is yet to win at Group 1 level, he has proven competitive against a number of Everest runners and would be a worthy contender should he gain a slot. Second-up in The Shorts.
Dropping Out: Libertini
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