Waterhouse, Bott chasing first win in The Everest
Co-trainer Adrian Bott believes the presence of four three-year-olds adds intrigue into what is shaping as a wide open The Everest at Randwick on Saturday.
Bott and Gai Waterhouse are yet to win an Everest and this year their stable’s hopes rest with three-year-old colt Storm Boy and three-year-old filly Lady Of Camelot.
Joining them in the elite 12-horse line up is the James Cummings-trained colt Traffic Warden and Ciaron Maher-trained colt Growing Empire, making it the most number of three-year-olds to ever have contested an Everest.
Storm Boy was confirmed early this week to run in the slot of Coolmore Stud and Bott says the high-profile colt has freshened well since his fourth placing in the Golden Rose.
“I think it’s an open race and it’s intriguing with the presence of the three-year-olds,” Bott said, when assessing Storm Boy’s Everest hopes.
“I think he (Storm Boy) is every bit as good as all those three-year-olds that are taking their place.
“He certainly deserves his spot there.
“He’ll make his presence felt and if the three-year-olds are up to it and can take on the older horses at this stage – which they’ve proven they can in this particular race – then yeah, he’s right in the mix.
“We just need a few things to go his way. A nice clean break, some good weather on the day I think will be relatively key as well.”
Two three-year-olds have won The Everest in its seven previous runnings, with colt Yes Yes Yes successful in 2019 and gelding Giga Kick winning two years ago.
This year’s Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot will be the first three-year-old filly to contest an Everest since three fillies – Tulip, Houtzen and She Will Reign – all ran in the first edition of the race in 2017.
Lady Of Camelot is the outsider of the field in betting markets but Bott is certainly not discounting her.
“She’s going better than what the market will suggest,” Bott said.
“Her first-up run at weight-for-age was excellent when she stuck on great in the Moir.
“She’s had a bit of time to build towards this and she looks the best she has.”
Storm Boy, to be ridden by Brenton Avdulla, has barrier five while Rachel King has the ride on Lady Of Camelot from the second widest barrier.
“Storm Boy’s got tactical speed,” Bott said.
“I know his gate speed itself has been a little bit questioned previously but I thought he’s shown good improvement in that.
“He musters really well and I think he can take advantage of it from that draw.
“Lady Of Camelot is a little bit more versatile but at the same time she might need to use a bit of speed to offset that draw, she could end up in an awkward position otherwise.
“So she’s most likely to press forward as well.”
Sixth placings to both English (2017) and Hawaii Five Oh (2023) have been the Waterhouse-Bott stable’s best Everest results from four previous runners in the race.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...