Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 7

Posted on | Posted by Paul Joice

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

When promoting the South Australian sprinting star to number one I looked at what he’d done this campaign and it cannot be faulted. At the trials he’s been bang on, at the races he gave Nature Strip an old-fashioned belting. His racing style looks ideal the way The Everest is shaping up. Can trail a fast tempo and accelerate when asked. Strong at 1200m – he has it all going for him.

2. Classique Legend
Previous Ranking: 1st
Last Start: October 3, The Premiere Stakes (2nd)

Lost his number one ranking due to a surprise defeat at the hands of Libertini in the Premiere Stakes. There were excuses, posted three wide from the draw, made an early run to ensure he had Nature Strip covered and was left a sitting shot. Was unlucky in this race last year, handles all conditions and will improve ridden more quietly in the big one.

3. Libertini
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: October 3, The Premiere Stakes (1st)

Anthony Cummings’ mare resumed with an upset win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. It was too dominant to be a fluke and considering she knocked over two of the Everest big guns – she has stamped herself as a huge winning chance. She’ll get a slot, there is no doubt about that. Her Randwick form is top notch and she’s undefeated on good ground. Rain would slow her down, but that’s about the only negative I can find with her. She’s the new kid on the block and she’s making some serious noise.

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

Holds on to fourth spot. Did win the Golden Rose last year and gave Gytrash, Tofane and Libertini a towelling in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington during the autumn. So the form-lines are there. Drew the outside gate first-up in The Shorts, loomed to win before his condition gave out and will improve sharply into the big one. A soft gate, Glen Boss aboard and Godolphin’s number one seed is right in the mix.

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

A relatively new entrant holding on to fifth place. 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. Tofane
Previous Ranking: 11th
Last Start: Ocotber 3, Gilgai Stakes (5th)

Rocketed up the rankings this week after an eye-catching fifth in the Gilgai at Flemington. Was climbing all over heels inside the final 400m and arguably should have won. It was perhaps the ideal lead-up run into The Everest. Beat home Bivouac and Santa Ana Lane when winning the All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick during the autumn so she is a Group One weight-for-age winner. Handles all conditions too.

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 subsequent injury perhaps offering defence for that performance and an impressive piece of work between races last week indicated he was getting back to his Golden Slipper winning best. At 100% fit, he has the speed to put himself in a winning position and we know he has the class.

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 his 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. Surely secures a slot.

9. Trekking
Previous Ranking: 9th
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. Has now been snapped-up despite being the Godolphin second seed and one thing is for sure – he will run well.

10. Nature Strip
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Last Start: October 3, Premiere Stakes (4th)

The slip for The Strip continues. Too bad to be true when unplaced in the Premiere Stakes on Saturday. Mucus in the trachea certainly a legitimate excuse but the campaign continues to plunge from bad to worse for the early Everest favourite. With less than two weeks until the big dance, Chris Waller has to supply a clean bill of health to Stewards before his charge is even allowed to take his place. A few weeks ago punters were happy to take $2.80 about Nature Strip winning the Everest. He’s now $6 and third in line – and I think that is big unders.

11. Santa Ana Lane
Previous Ranking: 10th
Last Start: October 3, Gilgai Stakes (6th)

Has landed a slot and has the potential to wreak havoc on some of the young guns. Runner-up in last year’s Everest and did enough when a closing sixth in the Gilgai on Saturday. Wasn’t far off Tofane, was doing his best through the line and will have improvement to come. 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.

12. Eduardo
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: September 19, The Shorts (2nd)

Joe Pride’s seven-year-old has won his way into The Everest. The July Sprint, the Missile Stakes and then runner-up behind Classique Legend in The Shorts. Certainly worthy of a place in the field with that form. Has the speed to race handy and handles all conditions. But can he win? It’s been an unexpected build-up to the Grand Final and what looked a fairly clear-cut puzzle only a few weeks ago now has the jigsaw pieces scattered all over the place. So I’m not going to say no.

Dropping Out: Ole Kirk, Anders

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