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
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...