Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 6

Posted on | Posted by Paul Joice

1. Classique Legend
Previous Ranking: 1st
Last Start: September 19, The Shorts (1st)

Here is the top dog. Les Bridge’s grey gelding was electric in winning The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick. Not quite there in the coat, he will take improvement out of the win. With superior acceleration and a versatile racing style, the five-year-old is the horse to beat. There are a few big guns ramping up for the October 17 showdown, but this is the one for me. Was an unlucky sixth in this race last year. We’ll see him in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

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

Looked bang on target with a sharp trial win at Rosehill on Monday and is snapping at the heels of Classique Legend for that top spot. 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. The scoreboard Vs Nature Strip now reads an emphatic 2 – 0.

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

The current race favourite is clinging on to third spot. Ridden quietly in a Rosehill trial on Monday, Chris Waller’s gelding looked to be bolting which was encouraging to see. I just wonder whether he was intentionally ridden quietly or did he slightly miss the start? Either way, the campaign to date hasn’t gone smoothly but the market suggests it will all begin coming together in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

4. Bivouac
Previous Ranking: 5th
Last Start: September 18, The Shorts (3rd)

Creeps one spot closer to the top after a first-up third in The Shorts (1100m). Rothfire succumbing to injury and the announcement from Godolphin that he is their top choice enough to move him into fourth position. The booking of last year’s Everest winning jockey Glen Boss another tick for Bivouac.

5. Behemoth
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: September 19, Sir Rupert Clarke (1st)

A new entrant and comes into the Power Rankings well up the order. Winning form will get you into The Everest and David Jolly’s five-year-old gelding has the picket fence alongside his name. His two Group One wins have come at 1400m but with a fast tempo anticipated, the big strong son of All Too Hard is expected to be rattling home late. A sneaky fourth behind Kolding in last year’s Golden Eagle gives him the Sydney way of going tick of approval.

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

Hanging on by a thread to the sixth spot after a minor setback last week. Missed the Moir due to a temperature spike but reports are all good. 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.

7. Farnan
Previous Ranking: 7th
Last Start: September 12, Run To The Rose (5th)

Farnan slid sharply down the list after a controversial return to racing at Rosehill in the Run to the Rose but it didn’t stop Aquis Farm locking him in for the big dance on October 17. A guaranteed slot certainly stops the slide but punters may not be as keen to dive back in after a disappointing return. But he’s too good to rule out and the Waterhouse/Bott stable will be working overtime to get him back on track.

8. North Pacific
Previous Ranking: 8th
Last Start: September 26, Golden Rose (2nd)

Still fits the criteria slot holders will be looking at – a three-year-old on the up. Certainly lost no admirers after Saturday’s line-finding runner-up performance in the Golden Rose. If anything, the result justified keeping the striking son of Brazen Beau to 1200m. A fast run Everest might set up for a fast finishing lightweight – exactly where this fellow fits in.

9. Trekking
Previous Ranking: 10th
Last Start: September 25, Moir Stakes (2nd)

With a few of the new kids on the block failing to take that next step, I’ve gone back to a tried and true sprinter. Ran third in The Everest last year and subsequently knocked over Gytrash in the Group 1 Goodwood. Overlooked due to potentially being the Godolphin second seed but returned to racing with a slashing second in the Moir. Slot holders may just approach the Blue Army to cut a deal. From Godolphin’s point of view – why not?

10. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Ranking: 11th
Last Start: May 16, The Goodwood (6th)

Set to resume at Flemington on October 3 and the whispers are getting louder. Has crept into the Power Rankings with the potential to wreak havoc on some of the young guns. There were concerns we had seen the last of the Freedman-trained eight-year-old, runner-up in last year’s Everest – but he’s back! Blessed with a devastating turn of foot, he is always a genuine winning hope in any race he contests. A frantically-run Everest might just set up for a horse with a booming finish.

11. Tofane
Previous Ranking: 12th
Last Start: September 12, Bobbie Lewis (3rd)

I dropped her from the Power Rankings for one week and she was immediately picked-up. Just goes to show the dynamics of The Everest! A grinding first-up third in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis didn’t look to be enough when considering what’s going on in Sydney, but Yulong Investments were satisfied that the five-year-old mare has what it takes and locked her in. Did win the All Aged Stakes (1400m) in the autumn and was a bit unlucky when fifth in the TJ Smith behind Nature Strip and Santa Ana Lane – so the form-lines are there.

12. Ole Kirk
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: September 26, Golden Rose (1st)

If Team Hawkes put their hand up and ask for a slot, I am confident they will get one. Considering the Golden Rose runner-up won this race last year and stablemate North Pacific looks certain to gain a slot if a deal can be struck, this fellow must come into serious consideration. Whether slot holders may feel 1200m is too short, that is the big question. But he can’t have done any more than he’s done this campaign to earn a start.

Dropping Out: Rothfire, Haut Brion Her

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