I Wish I Win draws pole for $20m The Everest
Betting was suspended for The Everest on Tuesday morning prior to a live barrier reveal in the Sydney Harbour, with I Wish I Win re-opening as a $4 favourite with Ladbrokes before drifting slightly to $4.20 after drawing barrier 1 with most online bookies.
Peter Moody, co-trainer of Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) winner I Wish I Win, told Newscorp earlier in the week that “the only thing I hope is I Wish I Win doesn’t draw a low gate.”
Typically a horse who gets back in the field, I Wish I Win will have to navigate some potential traffic issues with other key chances drawing well.
Waikato Stud owner Mark Chittick is confident I Wish I Win is ready to go, despite having only had one lead-up run six weeks ago.
“It’s unbelievable, to be over here and experience it all… the events just quite incredible. It’s a hell of a privilege that I Wish I Win has got us here,” Chittick told Racing NSW.
“He deserves his position and win, lose or draw he’ll give it his best.”
Joseph Pride and Proven Thoroughbreds have two strong chances, with last year’s runner up Private Eye drifting from $7 to $8 after drawing barrier 9, and Think About It, who has firmed into equal favourite after drawing well in barrier 5.
“Everything seems to have gone smoothly which is all a trainer can ask for… it’s full steam ahead to Saturday,” Pride told Racing NSW.
With two of the top three in the market, Pride says a quinella is “not beyond the realms.”
“I’m taking two horses there at the peak of their powers and that (quinella) is certainly an opportunity.”
In just six editions of The Everest, two three-year-olds have won the race. Cylinder and Shinzo will be out to emulate Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and Giga Kick last year, with TAB keeping Cylinder safe at $9 after drawing ideally in barrier 4, with Shinzo at $17 after drawing barrier 6.
Connections for likely leader in the race Overpass could be heard cheering from the harbour when he drew barrier 2, firming from $13 into $10 after markets re-opened, sitting on the same line as Buenos Noches who drew barrier 8.
In one of the more open editions of the race, only two runners are longer than $17 in betting with Mazu, drawn barrier 11 at $34 and multiple European Group 1 winning mare Alcohol Free, drawn barrier 7, at $51.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...