The Everest Tips: What they're saying about your horse

The world's richest race on turf sees the best sprinters on the planet line-up this Saturday to compete for a huge $13,000,000 in prize money over the Randwick 1200m. 

The second edition of the Everest throws up one of the most open high-profile sprint contests in recent history, with quality littered throughout the field of 12.

This year's race sees the first foreign invader to stake a claim for the riches, whilst mother nature has thrown a spanner in the works to further blur the picture for punters. 

In order to keep your finger on the pulse, we've reported what connections are saying about each runner and assessed their chances of claiming the coveted prize.   

 

 1. Redzel (1)

Connection's comments 

"He’s got good gate speed, and we’ve drawn a great barrier."

"He did race a little fresh the other day, if that run sees him tighten up a little bit and get back into his normal habits then hopefully I can get the job done on Saturday" - Kerrin McEvoy (Jockey)

Source: Sky Racing

"He looks so much better, he has tightened right up and his coat has come good. It’s amazing how much he has improved from the run. - Peter Snowden (Trainer)

Source: Racing NSW

The Facts

• The winner of the 2017 Everest who has struggled to return to his peak since that win
• Multiple Group One winner
• Has a strong Heavy track record of 6: 2-2-1

Our Say

He looks below his best, and a recent setback hasn't helped. A Heavy track brings him right into contention, but the early pressure is likely to take its toll. 

 

 2. Santa Ana Lane (9)

Connection's comments

“We haven’t done a lot with them (Santa Ana Lane and Shoals) since the Premiere Stakes.”

“All going well, they should front up in great shape” - Anthony Freedman (Trainer)

Source: Sky Racing

"If we get the horse in the right frame of mind he can reel off sectionals and match it with Australia’s best sprinters."

"He’ll go back until he gets cover and works through the field as the breaks come" - Samuel Freedman (Assistant Trainer)

Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Facts

• Won the Group 2 Premier Stakes lead up race in nice style 
• Multiple Group One winner
• Heavy track record 2: 1-0-0

Our Say

The in-form horse of the field, but is unsuited by the wide draw and wet track. Can't entertain on the Heavy surface. 

 

 3. Le Romain (11)

Connection's comments

"I always thought he’d be three runs in getting to a mile, then freshen in four weeks into either the Everest or the consolation."

"He has drawn a touch awkward it appears, but it’s probably not a gate that is an issue for him."

When asked if the Heavy track would suit, Lees replied – "Yea very much so, I think that will really play into his hands" – Kris Lees (Trainer)

Source: Sky Racing

The Facts

• Came 2nd to Winx last start over 1600m 
• Has won a Group One on a Heavy surface
• Heavy track record 6: 2-3-0

Our Say

Gets to this race fourth-up and is rock hard fit.

His last start was second to Winx over a mile in the Geroge Main Stakes at Randwick, which will hold him in good stead for this 1200m on a Heavy surface. He'll be giving them a start but can flash late and could easily cause a boilover. 

 

 4. Trapeze Artist (6)

Connection's comments

"I haven’t ridden him since his last start, but all the reports from the (trainer Gerald Ryan) stable is that he is doing very well,"

"Gerald is getting him to peak third-up, that is what we are banking on."

"I think most sprinters in the race would rather a firmer track, but it looks like being a soft tack, so we are all in the same boat." - Tye Angland (Jockey)

Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Facts

• Ran a solid 4th in his lead-up race and loves it third-up (3: 2-0-1)
• Multiple Group One winner
• Heavy track record 3: 0-0-2

Our Say

At his best and on a dry track, he would win this. Unfortunately, he has failed to fire a shot on a Heavy track in the past. No! 

 

 5. Vega Magic (7)

Connection's comments

"He’s better on a dry track, but he’s got form on wet tracks."

"That was a slow track that day and he defeated two horses he’s against on Saturday, Brave Smash and Santa Ana Lane and they were getting six kilograms off him."

"That was a pretty good run last start. It was a high-pressure race, and he was taken on which brought the others which took him on unstuck, and they finished well back."

Source: Sky Racing

James Harron and trainer David Hayes were enthusiastic about their chances in the big race when they spoke to #TheTrekToTheEverest team about Vega Magic’s barrier draw last night. pic.twitter.com/ubSdE6Kgnl

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 9 October 2018

The Facts

• Ran a solid 4th in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield over 1400m in preparation for this. 
• Multiple Group One winner
• Heavy track record 0: 0-0-0

Our Say

Was a good thing beaten in last year's Everest when running second.

Has shown the ability to handle a Soft surface and while the Heavy track isn't ideal, he'll handle it better than most.

Expect him to look the winner halfway down the straight, however whether he can hold on the last 50m is the query.  

 

 6. Brave Smash (4)

Connection's comments

"Darren is thrilled with the horse, we’ll have no excuses come Saturday, he’s drawn soft now, and he’s had the ideal preparation." 

"I think he’s going better now than what he was last year" - James Lovett – Australian Bloodstock

Source: Sky Racing

"He is a bit arrogant but he pins his ears back and chases with purpose, that’s what I love about him. All reports from the stable suggest he loves wet tracks so the rain around will only enhance his chances."

- Hugh Bowman (Jockey)

Source: Racing NSW

The Facts 

• Ran a nice 2nd to Viddora in the Moir Stakes and will be looking to improve on his 3rd in last year's Everest. 
• Group One winner
• Heavy track record 1: 0-1-0

Our Say

Statistically, no jockey rides a Heavy track better than Hugh Bowman.

Brave Smash's only attempt on a Heavy was in Japan, where he ran a valiant second in the Group 3 Flacon Stakes over 1400m.

Gets the perfect draw and will be making up ground late. Will finish in the top half of the field but won't threaten the winner. 

 

 8. US Navy Flag (3)

Connection's comments

"We are very happy with the way he went this morning, he appeared to handle the ground. I’d say we don’t want much more rain." 

"Happy with what we saw this morning but we just don’t want much more rain" - Tom Magnier (Coolmore Australia)

Source: Sky Racing

"He is a high-class horse with great tactical speed that he can sustain it, as he showed in the July Cup. He won the Dewhurst as a two-year-old when there was an ease in the ground, but genuinely soft or heavy going is a complete unknown for him and would have to be a concern."

- Ryan Moore (Jockey)

Source: Racing NSW

The Facts

• Won the Group 1 July Stakes over 1207m at Newmarket in nice style 
• Group One winner
• Heavy track record 1: 0-0-0 (15-lengths last in a four-horse field)

Our Say

• Connections are praying for sunshine, and it's unlikely to come. A genuine chance if it was a dry track, but it appears his chances are limited on a Heavy surface. No!

 

 9. In Her Time (8)

Connection's comments

"She arrived in good order and fit, there wasn’t huge improvement left but enough to suggest she hasn’t gone the wrong way” “She’ll be in a mid-field type of position from her gate" – "There is enough pressure underneath him that will give Corey a mid-field type of run" – Kris Lees

Source: Sky Racing

The Facts

• Impressed first-up, when running 2nd in the Group 2 Premier Stakes 
• Group One winner
• Heavy track record 0: 0-0-0

Our Say

Has struggled on a Soft track in the past and is likely to battle in the Heavy going. No!

 

 10. Shoals (2)

Connection's comments

"Would have preferred a wider draw, she doesn’t really like the clutter."  

"This will be the fittest she’s been this prep."

"She’s well suited on a Heavy surface" - Anthony Freedman (Trainer)

Source: Sky Racing

"She showed the other day she was up to it. If anything, first up I rode her too close and she was off the bridle a fair way from home in a fast race. The other day they went quick but I was a bit further back and was able to travel into it. She ran through the line and will appreciate any give in the ground.”

- Tim Clark (Jockey)

Source: Racing NSW

The Facts

• Impressed second-up, when running 3rd in the Group 2 Premier Stakes
• Multiple Group One winner
• Heavy track record 1: 1-0-0 

Our Say

She is a genuine contender, but has drawn poorly for her racing style.

Likely to cluttered up on the fence in the worst going, jockey Tim Clark will need to produce a miracle. She's a genuine contender but needs all the breaks. 

 

 11. Viddora (12)

Connection's comments

When asked his thoughts on the barrier "there is nothing we can do about it, it’s just a number at the end of the day" "I’d rather (barrier) 12 than 1."

"She’s in perfect order, I couldn’t be happier" - Lloyd Kennewell

Source: Sky Racing

''Barrier 12 - Happy with that'' - @KennewellRacing spoke to @LizzieJelfs after Viddora drew wide in #TheEverest. pic.twitter.com/XJGF5CpeSp

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 9 October 2018

The Facts

• Won the Group 1 Moir Stakes in impressive style
• Multiple Group One winner
• Heavy track record 0: 0-0-0

Our say

Brings a different form-line into this race and is flying under the radar.

She didn't deliver in her last preparation. However, she looks to be going better than ever, and she will have the last crack at them.

The draw is a blessing and makes life pretty simple for jockey Joe Bowditch, who will look to restrain his mare to the back of the pack to find cover, peel wide and fly at them late.

She is untested on a Heavy surface but has won twice on a Soft track. 

 

 12. Graff (10)

Connection's comments

"He deserves his chance, and I’m taking a bit of confidence from Tulip’s performance last year."

"His form lines are much stronger than Tulip’s were as well" – Brenton Avdulla (Jockey)

Source: Sky Racing

"He’s one I think will react really well with the three weeks between runs."

"If he gets the right run he’s going to be thereabouts with his 53kg"– Kris Lees (Trainer)

Source: Sky Racing

The Facts

• At his last start, he ran a solid 3rd in the Group One Golden Rose,
• Group One placegetter
• Heavy track record 2: 1-0-0

Our say

This race is almost certainly an afterthought for connections this prep, with a stud deal top of mind as opposed to the enormous purse on offer.  

The only 3YO in the field and his sole effort on a Heavy track was against his own age, which barely warranted a pass mark.

It would be a surprise to see him beat the ambulance home. No!

 

 17. Osbourne Bulls (5)

Connection's comments

"The horse has an affinity with Randwick." 

"We’ve never had the horse better."

"We are taking him here at the peak of his powers" - James Cummings (Trainer)

Source: Sky Racing

"It’s going to be a massive step up into this but he likes soft ground and has drawn a good barrier. With the right run he is in the mix but he definitely has to go to a new level."

- Tommy Berry (Jockey)

Source: Racing NSW

The Facts

• Ran on strongly in the Group One Sir Rupert Clark over 1400m at Caulfield 
• Multiple Listed Race winner
• Heavy track record 0: 0-0-0

Our say

This gelding by Street Cry has shown a liking for Randwick and has won five of six at the distance.

His racing style (backmarker) will ensure he beats a couple home, but put simply he looks a class below his rivals.   

 

The Everest Betting Tips

1st Viddora

2nd Le Romain

3rd Vega Magic

4th Shoals