Races

The Everest Power Rankings: Week 8

Posted on | Posted by Paul Joice

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

I am extremely confident to put the South Australian sprinting star atop the Power Rankings for 2020. Unlike most of his rivals, the campaign has gone perfectly. Has a 2 – 0 record against Nature Strip and made that galloper look second rate when towelling him in the Concorde Stakes. Has finished in the money at 19 of his 20 career starts – that’s consistency. His 1200m record perhaps the only questionable stat on his page, but I am saying he has never gone better and he’ll run the 1200m right out. The winner.

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

A surprise defeat at the hands of Libertini in the Premiere Stakes knocked the popular grey gelding from the number one spot. 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. The biggest threat to Gytrash.

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

Anthony Cummings’ mare resumed with an upset win in the Premiere Stakes so has to be taken seriously. 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. 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 a serious chance.

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

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. Has been the quiet achiever heading into The Everest and if the Newmarket winning Bivouac fronts up, he can give this race a huge shake.

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

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. I wouldn’t have had him this high up coming into the spring, but he deserves to be there now.

6. Tofane
Previous Ranking: 11th
Last Start: October 3, Gilgai Stakes (5th)

Rocketed up the rankings 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 and if they overdo things up front – look out!

7. 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 One Goodwood. Returned to racing with a slashing second in the Moir and despite being the Godolphin second seed one thing is for sure – he will run well.

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

The slip for The Strip has finally come to a halt. Too bad to be true when unplaced in the Premiere Stakes, the mucus in the trachea now all cleared up. Was the raging favourite only two months ago but the campaign has plunged from bad to worse. Chris Waller is a master trainer and we know how talented this hulking chestnut is when he’s on song. But I can’t back him this year – his aura of invincibility is long gone and I have him fading to finish eighth.

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

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 to suggest he can improve 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 set up for a horse with a booming finish. And one thing this fellow has is some serious boom.

10. Eduardo
Previous Ranking: 12th
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? Surely not against this line-up. Place chances best.

11. Dollar For Dollar
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: October 3, Gilgai Stakes (2nd)

Winning form will get you into The Everest and as it turns out, so will runner-up form. It’s been a long time between wins for this McEvoy-trained eight-year-old. In fact, you’ve got to go back to August 2018 for his last success. He’s also had eight attempts at Group One glory and has come with nought. This isn’t officially a Group One – but it has the quality of one.

12. Haut Brion Her
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: September 26, Golden Pendant (6th)

Finishing in the quinella at nine of her 10 starts is a great start, but that’s where it ends. This will be her first attempt under the weight-for-age scale and without doubt the toughest event she’s ever contested. A torrid run and a tiring seventh in the Golden Pendant not the sort of form you’d expect for a genuine Everest contender so whilst she’ll give a sight – I can’t see her still being there at the business end.

Dropping Out: Farnan, North Pacific

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