Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 7

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

1. I WISH I WIN
Last Start: September 2, Memsie Stakes (3rd)
Odds: $4.60

Remains the number one seed with the likes of Giga Kick & Sunshine In Paris falling by the wayside. Seems like an eternity since he ran first up in the Memsie behind arguably the best horse in the country Mr Brightside, we won’t see him again until the big day however you can bet the Moody team has him ticking over nicely. That certainly looked the case when having an exhibition gallop at Caulfield last Saturday week.

2. THINK ABOUT IT
Last Start: September 30, Premiere Stakes (1st)
Odds: $4.20

Well, he finally made his return to the track last Saturday scraping home by the narrowest of margins over a very fast finishing Hawaii Five Oh. I’m in two minds, was he disappointing as I thought he’d win a lot more comfortably, or is there plenty of improvement to come? Jockey Sam Clipperton also suggested he had no choice other than to take the rails run early in the straight when it presented which left him in front way too early, that’s a fair call as he is most effective when ridden more patiently. Stays at number two!

3. PRIVATE EYE
Last Start: September 16, The Shorts (1st)
Odds: $6

No change from last week when shooting up three places following his win in The Shorts. Runner up last year he mowed down Overpass on that occasion & will improve between 3-4 lengths according to his trainer Joe Pride. Pride has two chances in the big race with the slightly higher ranked stablemate Think About It also locked in. At this stage we won’t see him again until Everest day as Pride wants him nice & fresh for the big one.

4. CYLINDER
Last Start: September 23, Golden Rose (3rd)
Odds: $11

No updates, he won’t have another run before heading to The Everest. He’s going to get in light against the older horses & is in the right form to give them a real run for their money. Narrow winner first up, overcame obstacles second up to win before having a torrid run in the Golden Rose last Saturday week racing three-deep without cover throughout being only narrowly beaten in a thrilling finish. With a kinder trip arguably he wins.

5. BUENOS NOCHES
Last Start: September 16, The Shorts (3rd)
Odds: $8.50

Now that he’s landed a slot in the Everest I have him firmly in the top 10. Note he clocked better sectionals down the straight than the winner Private Eye in the Shorts which wasn’t really run to suit tempo wise. As advised Trainer Matthew Smith trialled him this morning at Rosehill, he was ridden completely cold out the back before making good ground under his own steam over the final 200m. Looks to be ticking over very nicely.

6. IMPERATRIZ
Last Start: September 29, Moir Stakes (1st)
Odds: $4

As of this morning there are only two slots left available & connections are still adamant they will not be sending her around. Again she was scintillating at The Valley on Friday night coming from off speed to put away her rivals in the straight & set a new track record in the process. If she had a slot I’d have her near enough to top seed however as it’s looking more & more likely she won’t run I’ll just slip her down the rankings a little. Really do hope a deal can be done.

7.HAWAII FIVE OH
Last Start: September 30, Premiere Stakes (2nd)
Odds: $12

Now a confirmed slot holder after his excellent effort to almost run down Think About It in the Premiere on Saturday. Not sure I was expecting that & maybe I’ve underrated him however his closing sectionals in a race which wasn’t really run to suit were very good & note James McDonald has been engaged for the ride on Saturday week. The form the Waterhouse/Bott stable are in & wouldn’t put an Everest win past them.

8. OVERPASS
Last Start: September 16, The Shorts (2nd)
Odds: $16

Although beaten by Private Eye first up he has scored an Everest slot & won’t race again beforehand. Had his final tune up this morning in a Rosehill barrier trial when leading throughout & scoring comfortably with gas in the tank, he certainly had the measure of Mazu who ran 2nd, couldn’t see that one beating him home unless we struck a very wet track on the day.

9. ESPIONA
Last Start: September 23, Golden Pendant (3rd)
Odds: $14

Chris Waller has this morning elected to lock away his own mare in the Chris Waller Racing slot, no great surprise there! She’ll have 3 weeks between runs to freshen up for the big race which she’ll need as her last run & preferred distance is 1400m, if anyone can have her right on the big day it will be Chris Waller & note Hugh Bowman will return from Hong Kong to ride. Can she measure up, I’d suggest she can.

10. IN SECRET
Last Start: September 16, The Shorts (4th)
Odds: $16

She remains in the top 10 however I’m on the brink of including Shinzo once again as he has been locked into the Coolmore slot this morning. She went around in the trial won by Overpass at Rosehill this morning & wasn’t too far away given a very easy time, Zac Purton has been booked for the ride in the Everest.

Dropping out – Sunshine in Paris, Ozzmosis

Coming in – Hawaii Five Oh, Espiona

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