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| Staff Writer |
The TAB Everest (2023): Runner By Runner Race Preview
Just two weeks separate us from the greatest sprint race on the planet - The Everest. Eight of the 12 spots are filled after recent injuries to Giga Kick, and Sunshine In Paris has freed up a pair. We review those with a slot and the potential candidates for those yet to be filled.
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The horse is nicknamed Forrest Gump because of his bowed legs as a foal heads the betting for the 2023 Everest. He got his Group One success last season in the TJ Smith, over this same track and trip but on a heavy surface. He has a fine mix of speed and stamina for this distance and deserves his place at the head of the market.
Think About It boasts a brilliant record so far in his career and still has very few miles on the clock for a five-year-old. He has formed further, boasting a pair of Group 1 wins over 1300m and 1400m. He has scope for better yet, making him a danger to all in this field.
Sixth in this race last year, Overpass has improved this season with a change of tactics. A move to front running has seen him push his rating up a little from this time last year. Runner-up to Private Eye over the 1100m at Randwick last time, he was in front of a couple of these, so that connections will be hopeful of a big run.
One of two runners in the race for Godolphin, the 3YO Cylinder has taken the spot of the injured Giga Kick. Two of the six winners of this race were the same age, including the aforementioned Giga Kick last year. 1400m might just have stretched his stamina last time, but he is the type only to do the minimum required anyway, which makes it hard to know where his ceiling lies.
5 - Max Whitby & Neil Werret - Private Eye
Private Eye gave weight and a beating to several of these at Randwick in the Toyota Forklifts Shorts. Runner-up in this race last year, this part of the season looks like the right time for him as he lost his form in March and April. He will arrive with plenty of confidence, and his effort last time out in that 1100m contest will have put him spot on.
6 - Tab - Buenos Noches
Buenos Noches was third to Private Eye and Overpass when last in race action in mid-September. He did not get a clear run at a crucial stage of that contest, having scraped the paint around the inside rail. He has only had nine starts, so he is relatively unexposed, but he is yet to make his mark at Group 1 level, so he needs to find a little extra to win The Everest.
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Mazu was well beaten in the Group 2 that Private Eye won over 1100m here in mid-September, but things didn’t fall his way. He has been plying his trade against some of the best that Australia has to offer for a long time, but you have to go back to May 2022 for the last time he won a race. That tempers confidence in his winning chance considerably.
In Secret was behind three of these at Randwick last time out, but she ended up a long way back after a slow start. She has some smart form around the turn at Randwick over 1200m, but her two Group 1 wins have both come over the straight at Flemington. That is a little question mark that she has to answer, but otherwise holds solid place claims.
Aquis decided to select the royally-bred son of I Am Invincible, Hawaii Five Oh after Sunshine In Paris was sadly ruled out due to injury. The talented 4YO bred by Gerry Harvey and is co-raced by his close friend John Singleton, finished runner-up behind Everest favourite Think About It in the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes.
Despite his disappointment in the Golden Rose, the impeccably bred son of Snitzel would look the most natural in the Everest. Touted by Coolmore Boss, Tom Magnier as “a most exciting horse and the most exciting stallion prospect in the world,” Shinzo is all class. Hugely intriguing.
While there is no confirmation of a slot holder for Yulong yet, the general opinion is that it will go to Alcohol Free. The 2022 July Cup winner at Newmarket has Group 1 form over this trip and an extra quarter of a mile. Yulong are known for not being afraid of spending, so perhaps they will have another trick up their sleeve. Lost And Running was close to the head of the betting for this race last year, and although his most recent run was below par, connections might still be open to having a go.
He is responsible for Shinzo, but Chris Waller looked further afield for his own slot when he filled the Coolmore slot. Most notable in line was Espiona, who has improved from a rating of 94 to 111 in the last 12 months. On her last start, she won the Group 2 Gold Pendant at Rosehill and does not look out of place at this level.
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Distance 1,200 metres, Surface Turf, Track Right-handed, Qualification $700,000 entry fee (2023), Weight Weight for Age, Purse $20 million (2023)