17/10/20 Randwick Tips for the Everest
- Author: Joshua ReedOct 15, 2020 04:44 PM
- Photo: AAP
Trekking to the peak
Following a lengthy build up, The Everest is finally here and what a great spectacle it will be.
The richest race on turf showcases the premier sprinting horses within Australia, with a crack line-up set to square off over 1200m for the $15 million purse.
There has been plenty of drama in the lead up to the race, with doubts cast over early favourite Nature Strip and Golden Slipper champ Farnan withdrawn due to injury.
You can be forgiven for making a case for each of the 12 runners, such is the quality engaged for the weight-for-age battle.
It's shaping up to be a ripper on what is sure to be a day to remember.
Track Conditions
The Randwick track is currently rated a Good 4 and fine weather is forecast for Sydney over the coming days, with only a very slim chance of rain.
The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit and we look set to be racing in ideal conditions.
Expect all runners to get their chance, with race tempo to determine the fate of back-markers.
Randwick Race 7 - The Everest 1200m
The Map
There doesn't look to be a lot of speed on paper, but how often have we been under this assumption leading into a big race only for it play out completely different?
One thing we do know is Nature Strip (5) will go forward and you can expect Eduardo (9) to be in hot pursuit from the draw.
Dollar For Dollar (1) and Haut Brion Her (12) will also be keen early, but I suspect the latter won't be applying too much pressure to her stablemate out in front.
I have Libertini (12) slotting in the front half, with Gytrash (7), Behemoth (2), Classique Legend (6) and Bivouac (10) occupying the mid-field.
I expect Tofane (11) to have no option but to settle back along with Santa Ana Lane (8).
With nothing but speed around him, Trekking (4) can either choose to sit back or settle a touch closer than he did last year.
The Favourite
At this stage Nature Strip and Classique Legend share favouritism at $4.20.
Nature Strip hasn't had an ideal preparation, however he has proven in the past just how good he is and his best runs have come when he is third-up.
It will take a game punter to back him at these odds considering his campaign to date and even though he is not for me, it wouldn't surprise to see him blow them all away.
Classique Legend is coming off a tough run behind Libertini in the Premiere Stakes and punters will be hoping it didn't take too much out of him.
He did the hard yards being wide without cover in that clash and kept fighting right to the line.
I think he is one of the top contenders and would have run much better in last year's edition with some luck.
Both horses can win on their day, though I do have Classique Legend in front of Nature Strip at the finish.
Analysis and Tips
It is hard enough picking a winner and I must settle on one, even though there is a few I will back.
This year I want to play Trekking ($15.00) at the silly price.
There is enough speed for him to make his presence felt late and I thought his first-up effort in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley behind Pippie was very encouraging.
He has been freshened up for this run, which is when the Godolphin runner does his best work.
I suspect Josh Parr would have re-watched the footage of last year's race countless times in the lead-up to this, knowing where to be in the run and when he will hit the "Go" button.
Others I will be specking are Gytrash ($6.50), Classique Legend ($4.20) and Libertini ($8.00). I am confident of a collect between the four.
For a list of all the tipsters who have posted Randwick tips for Saturday's racing meet, checkout the dedicated page at theGreatTipOff.com.