The Everest 2023
Distance: 1200m | Conditions: WFA | Rail Position: 3m | Track Condition: Good 4
It’s the richest race on turf! The Everest is back for it’s seventh running boasting a purse of $15m, and what an event it has become. It’s produced some huge results, and has been won by some of our great sprinters including the likes of Redzel, Nature Strip and most recently Giga Kick. It’s a relatively new-look field this year with injuries and retirements having an impact, so a new champion will be crowned. Let’s try to find the winner!
Speed Map
Overpass has been given the dream draw and will take up the running as usual, and could potentially get it all on his terms. Being a $15m you’d imagine not but on paper it certainly looks that way. The two that can add tactical speed into the race are Waterhouse and Bott runners in Hawaii Five Oh and Alcohol Free, so we could likely see them sit close in behind. In Secret may also be instructed to roll forward from the wide gate with a trail from Private Eye.
Think About It should get the gun run, with Espiona also getting a nice run in transit, while I Wish I Win will also find plenty of cover. Then it’ll be on from the back with the likes of Buenos Noches and Shinzo storming home once they come up the rise at Randwick.
Key Runners
1:
I Wish I Win (1)
What a star this bloke is. TJ Smith winner who should start favourite for this. Ran third first-up in the Memsie over 1400m where his splits were some of the best of the day. Will require a bit of luck from the barrier but has been set for this a long way out, is fresh and will take a world of beating.
2:
Private Eye (9)
Group 1 winner who earns his second consecutive Everest start, after grinding out a win in the Shorts most recently. Just missed out on the choccies in this last year but with a handy ride he’ll look a winner at some point again in this.
3:
Think About It (5)
I had my doubts about the class of this bloke, but isn’t the egg on my face. Is 10 wins from 11 starts, including back to back Group 1’s over the Winter Carnival in Queensland. He then picked up where he left off by winning the Premiere Stakes in preparation for this. Is unbeaten second-up but this is his biggest task to date.
4:
Mazu (11)
Was massive in this last year, finishing third. Was going much better this time 12 months ago though hence his big price. His run in the Doomben 10,000 shows he’s well and truly up to this when right, but needs to find a few lengths better.
5:
Overpass (2)
Profiles really nicely for this. Have never been a big Overpass fan based on his strike rate, but he’s ticking along nicely this prep, beaten a nose most recently in the Shorts. As mentioned, the speed map could really work in his favour, and if he can get it on his terms in transit, he may be too strong for them. At $14 he’s an attractive prospect.
6:
Buenos Noches (8)
Plenty of intrigue about Buenos Noches. His first-up win was dominant, giving weight away and he backed it up by putting in a huge effort in the Shorts over 1100m. You could argue he wins that if he get’s out earlier. Can put in a big finish, so will have plenty in his corner.
7:
Hawaii Five Oh (10)
I’m staggered Hawaii Five Oh is as short as $15. His run in the Premiere Stakes was huge behind Think About It, and he’s certainly got upside but this is a horse that was running around in BM72’s only six months ago. Obviously has ran well in some handy races and has got a big future ahead of him but he’s not up to this yet.
8:
Alcohol Free (7)
Irish raider who will need a sharp improvement for his third Aussie start. Is a July Cup winner, beating Artorious which reads well for this. Will need to be a quick turnaround from the Shorts if he’s going to make any impact here.
9:
In Secret (12)
Has been one of the countries star mares of recent times, and will be looking to peak third-up for Godolphin. She cooked them in the Newmarket over the Autumn beating the likes of I Wish I Win with ease, but has looked a little more plain coming back in the Concorde and the Shorts. Will need to be much sharper for this.
10:
Espiona (3)
No filly or mare has ever won The Everest, but this talented sprinter from the Chris Waller yard may be the first. She was far too good for them in the Golden Pendant despite being rather wayward. She strikes me as a similar type to Verry Ellegant who had her issues early on in the sense that once she puts it all together, she’ll be a different class.
11:
Shinzo (6)
The Everest has been a fruitful race for 3-year-olds previously, and the 2023 Golden Slipper winner looks ready to tackle this now. He was slightly disappointing in the Golden Rose but had a mountain of excuses. The barrier was a shocker, he got caught too far back and pulled up with foot issues. He should have no excuses here, is a class animal and gets in light. Big watch.
12:
Cylinder (4)
Been arguably the best 3-year-old of the 2023 class and deservedly gets his chance in this. The Exceed and Excel colt was denied a hat-trick in the Golden Rose but went down swinging despite being three-wide the trip. He’s fit, fast and gets an ideal draw. Don’t dismiss.
Betting Strategy
You can make a case for almost every runner this year. I Wish I Win is the class horse of the field so will stick with him. However, if you’re looking for a price, both the three-year-olds look great betting prospects and a career-best performance from Espiona would put her close.
Back With WishBet
