Three-year-olds draw well in $20m The Everest
This year’s $20 million The Everest is the most open edition seen in eight editions, and Tuesday night’s barrier draw has done little to sort out the field of 12 for Saturday’s 1200m newly anointed Group 1 at Royal Randwick.
I Wish I Win remains a narrow favourite at $5 after drawing barrier 9, having started the same price as a second elect when held up from barrier 1 last year, finishing second to Think About It.
Giga Kick is aiming to become the second horse to win multiple editions of The Everest and trainer Clayton Douglas believes the horse is ready to fire third-up off an injury enforced spell, happy with barrier three for his gelding, who is an $11 chance.
“You know we’re on the comeback trail and I’ve been really happy with how he’s been coming along so now I’m looking forward to Saturday and I’m very happy with the barrier draw,” Douglas said.
“It gives us options and I think it’s just a perfect gate, so yeah, bring it on.”
In 2022 Giga Kick became the second three-year-old winner after Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and this year’s race will have the most ever three-year-olds with four; three colts and one filly.
Growing Empire and Traffic Warden are prominent in betting at $6 and $9 respectively and drew well, with the former for Yulong Stud drawing barrier 7 and the latter for Godolphin drawing barrier 2, while Storm Boy will jump from barrier 5 and Lady Of Camelot from barrier 11.
James Cummings is copying the playbook of Chris Waller and Yes Yes Yes with Traffic Warden, dropping back from a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and Godolphin’s trainer was happy to draw inside.
“Yeah, it’s a good draw. Two or five with the options that were remaining were good for us. But I came here hoping to get inside four and thinking that wasn’t too much to ask,” Cummings said.
“Look, I think he can belt home. If he can beat Sydney traffic from barrier two, then he should be able to win the Everest.”
Long time Everest fancy Bella Nipotina drew the widest in barrier 12 but remains at $8 as one of five horses at single figure odds, joined by Joliestar who has firmed into $6 after drawing barrier 4.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...