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
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...