Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 7

Posted on | Posted by Warren Huntly

1. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Rank: 1st
Last Start: April 28, The Chairman’s Sprint Prize – Sha Tin (4th)

Looking forward to seeing this star sprinter resume up the straight in the Gilgai (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. He’s won 2/9 first-up, but will no doubt derive great benefit from this outing heading into The Everest second-up, where’s he 3/8. I’m yet to see anything to convince me he’s not the horse to beat.

2. Pierata
Previous Rank: 2nd
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (1st)

Has come out of retirement in outstanding order; running a fast-finishing second to Redzel, before an impressive win in The Shorts. Looms as the biggest threat to Santa Ana Lane.

3. Classique Legend
Previous Rank: 3rd
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (2nd)

His first-up run behind Pierata proved he can mix it with the big boys and he gets another crack at open company in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, where he will take a stack of beating. An extremely talented gelding with plenty of upside.

4. Redzel
Previous Rank: 4th
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (3rd)

His first up win in the Concorde was full of merit and he lost no admirers with his subsequent third in The Shorts. Look for him to peak on Grand Final day; with the Snowdens masters are timing their run to perfection.

5. Arcadia Queen
Previous Rank: 5th
Last Start: September 14, Theo Marks Stakes (1st)

Arguably the best horse in the country and could turn out to be the weight-for-age star of the spring. Her first up win in the Theo Marks was outstanding and her trial during the week suggests she has come on.

6. Osborne Bulls
Previous Rank: 7th
Last Start: May 11, Doomben 10,000 (2nd)

Still yet to see him at the races after he was scratched from The Shorts due to the bog track. He resumes on Saturday in the Premiere against some of his Everest rivals and should run well. He needs to though, with the big race not far away.

7. Alizee
Previous Rank: 8th
Last Start: August 31, Memsie Stakes (3rd)

Has had a freshen since her excellent minor placing in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August. Looked good in winning a trial (beating G1 winner Brutal) last Friday.

8. Sunlight
Previous Rank: 9th
Last Start: September 28, Moir Stakes (3rd)

Performed below expectations when resuming behind Redzel in the Concorde but bounced back to something like her best form chasing bravely behind Nature Strip in the G1 Moir at The Valley on Friday. Ideally suited stepping back up to 1200m and looks set to peak in The Everest.

9. Graff
Previous Rank: 10th
Last Start: September 21, The Shorts (4th)

Ran fifth in last year’s Everest and backed up his eye catching first up run behind Redzel in the Concorde with another strong showing in The Shorts. Another to tackle a hot renewal of The Premiere at Randwick on Saturday.

10. In Her Time
Previous Rank: 11th
Last Start: March 9, Newmarket Handicap (6th)

A high quality mare lining up for her second Everest after narrowly missing a slot and winning the Sydney Stakes as consolation in the year of the inaugural Everest. Recent trials indicate she is coming to hand well but may need to improve to a level she has not yet achieved to be a winning chance.

11. Nature Strip
Previous Rank: 12th
Last Start: September 28, Moir Stakes (1st)

Seemed to resent being restrained when resuming behind Redzel in the Concorde. Bounced back to his best when leading from barrier to box in the G1 Moir and although he may be slightly suspect at the end of a strong 1200m, he could add an intriguing speed factor to The Everest.

12. Enticing Star
Previous Rank: 6th
Last Start: September 28, Golden Pendant (5th)

Another crossing the Nullarbor and joining the Chris Waller stable with the Everest in mind. Her first-up run was well below expectations and she would need to improve dramatically be a factor in The Everest. Blinkers may be applied in the near future and that may spark her up.

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