13/10/21 Tips for The Everest & The Kosciuszko
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- Author: Joshua ReedOct 15, 2021 05:12 PM
- Photo: AAP
Cracking Kosciuszko & Epic Everest
The Everest Carnival reaches its crescendo on Saturday at Randwick, with a tremendous ten race card highlighted by the $15 million clash over 1200m.
Despite the lack of Group racing on the day, the richest race on turf is well supported by the Kosciuszko, Sydney Stakes and Craven Plate.
Track Conditions
The track is currently rated a Soft 5 and with some decent rain forecast in the lead-up, I'm working off a Soft 7 surface.
The Randwick rail will be in the True position which generally plays fair. However with the high chance of a wet track, expect them to come off the fence and look for a forward spot throughout.
Randwick Race 5 - The Kosciuszko 1200m
The Map 
This year's edition of The Kosciuszko is very tricky to work out, as there doesn't seem to be a lot of pace engaged. I dare say, there may be a few tactics changes flying in on race morning.
Nadaraja (2) looks to set the tone early from a brilliant draw.
Front Page (14), Ceasefire (13) and Ice In Vancouver (12) are the only other early speed horses, however they are drawn nice and deep.
Most of the horses drawn between barriers 3 and 11 will be fighting for prime positions, expect maybe Edit (11) who will likely drop out of the battle and follow something wide into the race.
Handle The Truth (1) has a big decision to make from the inside and would be best suited kicking up and holding a forward position just off the leaders.
The Favourite 
Handle The Truth ($4.40) has some nice form around good horses in the lead-up to this contest.
First-up in the Concorde Stakes, he was the best of those outside the placings, finishing 4.4 lengths back in fourth behind Nature Strip.
Amazingly, he was only 1.4 lengths off Trekking who will line up in the Everest. He was then only fair but outclassed in the Shorts behind Eduardo, but should be fighting fit and ready for this one.
As stated earlier, look for him to kick up and hold a more forward position if he wants to give himself the best chance and the wet conditions won't worry him.
Analysis and Tips 
Front Page ($8.50) is one I really like at terrific each-way odds.
Although he hasn't been in the best of form this preparation, he has come off a long lay-off and performed admirably against tougher opposition.
At his previous start, he finished 4 lengths back in second behind a talented one in Lombardo, who has since come out and saluted well in the Village Stakes.
Despite drawing wide, I expect them to head forward and sit behind Nadaraja in the run which should give him every chance on the bend.
This is his first chance back on a soft going, a surface which he excels on. This is his chance.
Randwick Race 7 - The Everest 1200m
The Map
The barrier draw for The Everest has cast even more intrigue over how and where they will settle in the run.
Eduardo (7) will show the early dash and you can expect Home Affairs (6) to go with him to either head him off, or draw some extra speed from him before settling on the rail in second or third.
Nature Strip (10) will follow that pair across from out wide and camp just off them off the rail, which will be an ideal spot.
Look for Embracer (3) and Lost and Running (2) to also apply early pressure, but they will likely get stuck back in the pack.
I expect a more forward run by Gytrash (1) from the inside gate. If they don't get off the rail however, they may be playing for luck throughout.
I feel as though the rest of the field will be fighting out those key spots in behind around midfield and worse, which will suit Classique Legend (5) and Trekking (4) just fine.
The Favourite
Nature Strip ($4.20) is a deserved favourite ahead of his third tilt at the race.
He has two very good runs in preparation for this, beating two of his rivals first-up over the 1000m. He then ran a bold second behind rival Eduardo in the Shorts, where they both cleared Gytrash, Masked Crusader and Lost and Running by a length or more.
The Nicconi gelding has drawn perfectly out wide and will look to keep out of the early speed battle and slot in off the fence in third or fourth.
He showed in his track gallop with stablemate Home Affairs that he is a much more mature athlete and he has learnt to switch off for a section of the run.
I expect him to run a huge race and be right in the finish once again.
Analysis and Tips
Three bets will be placed around the race and we shouldn't be too far off collecting.
Nature Strip ($4.20) will be in the thick of things and I think this is his best chance yet and probably his last being a 7YO. For the reasons outlined above, I think he will be in the finish.
Gytrash ($8.50) is brilliant each-way odds and may drift come race time, which will be handy. He was very good behind Nature Strip and Eduardo last start and some argue he probably should have won.
He has had a tick over trial in preparation for this and with even luck in this race, he will go close to winning.
Trekking ($35.00) is a massive price and is a tremendous place bet if the track doesn't get too wet.
He was good first-up and arguably should have won second-up in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.
He will be giving them a start but a place bet isn't the worst bet to have.
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