Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 5

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

1. I WISH I WIN
Last Week: 1
Current Odds: $5

Holds his position at the top of the rankings having not raced since kicking off his Everest quest in the Moir (1000m) when turning in a cracking run from the back of the field. The tempo wasn’t there to suit yet there he was powering home late beaten just over a length breaking 11 seconds for his final 200m which was the quickest late split of the entire meeting. Stable report he is jumping out of his skin & ready to get back to the races, well he won’t have to wait long as he’ll go around in a star studded Manikato Stakes at The Valley this coming Friday night. From there it’s on to the big one!

2. BELLA NIPOTINA
Last Week: 2
Current Odds: $7

Iron mare who is now an official Everest slot holder being snapped up by the TAB last week, that’s 3 down with still 9 remaining. First up at Randwick she produced an outstanding finish to go down narrowly behind her stablemate I Am Me. On a day of slick times her closing split was the second fastest of the entire day, amazingly she broke 32 seconds for her final 600m over a trip which is short of her best. There were thoughts of running her last Saturday at Randwick in The Shorts however connections have decided to send her around in the Premiere at the same track 2 weeks out from The Everest. Rain, hail or shine on the big day it won’t worry her!

3. GIGA KICK
Last Week: 3
Current Odds: $8.50

Long odds Everest winner back in 2022 his campaign for this race last year was abruptly halted due to injury. He tore a muscle between his hamstring and hip which took longer to heal than expected resulting in him also missing this year’s autumn features. With two trials under his belt he resumed in the Concorde at Randwick finishing out of the placings, his effort was far from disappointing though as he raced wide throughout, was off the long break yet was good through the line. All eyes will be on his trial at Canterbury this morning before tacking the Premiere in just under 2 weeks.

4. SUNSHINE IN PARIS
Last Week: 4
Current Odds: $8

Lightly raced mare who was well in contention for last year’s race before suffering a minor foreleg injury which put an end to her entire spring campaign. She’d beaten Espiona first up, had been assured of a slot & looked a great chance before bad luck struck. She was then narrowly beaten first up last prep in the Galaxy before striking consecutive heavy tracks which are not her go. She resumed in the Sheraco recently at Rosehill & couldn’t have been any more impressive charging to victory on dry ground. She lowered Joliestar’s colours which is no mean feat considering what that mare had done 3 weeks prior. The Everest is 4 weeks away & we’re unlikely to see her on race day until then, she may however step out in a trial prior to keep her ticking over.

5. PRIVATE EYE
Last Week: 6
Current Odds: $16

Placed at both Everest attempts to date he looks right on track for another strong performance in the race & after Saturdays strong finishing effort where nothing really panned out, I’ve promoted him up the rankings one position. His return in the Concorde at Randwick closing wide from the back was similar to that effort on Saturday in The Shorts, drawn poorly Jay Ford had no option than to go back, wide cornering he clocked the quickest final split of the race. Make no mistake, Joe Pride has him going better than ever.

6. JOLIESTAR
Last Week: 5
Current Odds: $10

No match at all for Sunshine in Paris in the Sheraco after blowing away her rivals first up. She just didn’t have that same turn of foot giving the impression she’s looking for further which is no surprise as she is a Group 1 winner over a mile. Well, I’m not the only one thinking along those lines as she’s nominated for the Group 2 Golden Pendant on Saturday at Rosehill over 1400m, can Chris Waller then freshen her up dropping back to the 1200m of an Everest? Clearly it would be a task however I’d put nothing past the champion trainer.

7. THINK ABOUT IT
Last Week 7
Current Odds: $14

I’ve left last year’s winner in the mix however he was disappointing in the autumn/winter; he didn’t have a lot go his way first up (dragged back) however his next 3 starts all resulted in unplaced performances. He’s clearly up to the task & Joe Pride is a master trainer who will be doing all he can to get him back on track. He stepped out in a Randwick trial recently running a close 3rd under a very tight grip in a hot field including the likes of Stefi Magnetica & Fangirl. He trials again at Canterbury tomorrow morning with Jason Collett to steer, all going well he’ll resume in the Premiere on October 5, then it’s straight on to The Everest following exactly the same path as last year.

8. STEFI MAGNETICA
Last Week: Unranked
Current Odds: $16

Group 1 Stradbroke winner in the winter at Eagle Farm accounting for Bella Nipotina in a stirring finish & keep in mind last year’s Everest winner Think About It also came through a win in Queensland’s premier race. Nobody missed her return run at Randwick on Saturday flying home along the fence to just miss catching I Am Me in the 1100m Shorts, with a clearer run earlier in the straight the race would have been hers. She won’t have a start between that unlucky effort & The Everest with trainer Bjorn Baker electing to keep her fresh with just a trial in between to keep her ticking over.

9. HAYASUGI
Last Week: 8
Current Odds: $23

Fast finishing Blue Diamond Stakes winner who went into the Golden Slipper a month later drawing the second from outside gate. Unfortunately, everything went pear shaped at the start with jockey Jamie Kah almost being tipped out of the saddle twice, that run needs to be clearly forgotten. She resumed in the Moir when closing the race off very strongly carrying a lot less weight than I Wish I Win & although unable to match his sectional she’ll again carry a light weight in The Everest & at this stage deserves her spot in the top 10. She’s set to do battle with I Wish I Win once again in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at The Valley this coming Friday night.

10. TRAFFIC WARDEN
Last Week: 9
Current Odds: $10

Accounted for Storm Boy in The Run To The Rose first up in impressive fashion which has thrusted him into Everest calculations. He’s a very versatile 3yo who led all the way in the Sires at Flemington, he then parked on speed almost winning the Sydney version before being runover by Manaal late. That fast-finishing fresh run & similar efforts in the Golden Slipper & Blue Diamond suggest he’s no one trick pony. Whilst trainer James Cummings is very keen to get him into The Everest his immediate aim is this week’s star-studded Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill.

11. STORM BOY
Last Week: 10
Current Odds: $15

Back in winning form at Rosehill first up making a big statement, he’s grown into a beast of an animal & he simply monstered the opposition. Second-up although beaten in the Run To The Rose there were valid excuses as he did miss the start & was then sent forward. By the same token once he got there the race wasn’t run at any great speed & the winner Traffic Warden ran home right over the top of him. To be honest he’s the one horse I still can’t quite get my head around, is he a star or is he overrated? He’ll line up in the Group 1 Golden Rose on Saturday where that question may well be answered!

12. GROWING EMPIRE
Last Week: 11
Current Odds: $9.50

Effortless winner first up at Caulfield recently. Fair to say he didn’t beat any stars & has a fair way to go as an Everest chance however he’s only a lightly raced 3yo with a ton of upside & is in the right yard to improve plenty in a short space of time. He sat 3 & 4 deep before being eased into clear running on the turn & once in the straight showed a ‘turn of foot’ to put his rivals away in no time before being abruptly eased down to win with a lot more in the tank. Second up in the mud at Flemington he raced up on speed, beat off his on paced rivals however First Settler than emerged & looked like running right on by, not on my watch said Growing Empire as he found another gear racing clear to the line. Nominated for two Group 1’s this weekend, the Manikato at The Valley & The Golden Rose at Rosehill the former will be the option & that will be his acid test as against the likes of I Wish I Win & co he’s being thrown right in the deep end.

Dropping out – Lady Of Camelot

Coming in – Stefi Magnetica

Odds correct at the time of publication.

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