Ten races will be contested at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 16th, highlighted by the $15 million The Everest.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
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Race 1 – 12:30pm – Fujitsu General Handicap, (1400m)
This is an open race and a pretty tough way to begin The Everest Day from a betting perspective, but I am going to have something on Zing.
Zing hasn’t been seen at the races since August, but she was a strong and consistent performer for the Waller stable throughout her prep, and she has fresh form.
I like that she has had a couple of trials in the lead-up to her return and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 2 – 1:05pm – The Star Mile, (1600m)
High Supremacy is on the quick back-up following an impressive effort in the Silver Eagle, and I think that he will take plenty of beating third-up over a mile this week.
The Savabeel gelding was too good for his rivals in BM78 company here when resuming, and he kept all of his best work for late when fifth, beaten just over a length by Aim last week.
Fitter third-up, dropping in class and getting out to a mile, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 3 – 1:40pm – Highway Handicap, (1100m)
Ahead Start returned an eye-catching effort to only just miss in a Highway race when fresh, and I am confident that he can go one better on Saturday.
The Dream Ahead gelding was a strong and consistent performer for the Danny Williams yard during his debut prep, and he was beaten less than a length by Leo here last month.
He has been back to the trials since that effort and he is drawn to receive every chance again this week under James McDonald.
Race 4 – 2:15pm – Listed Reginald Allen Quality, (1400m)
There is a case to be made for a few fillies in this year’s Reginald Allen Quality field, including Fangirl.
Fangirl returned to the races to fill the minors behind Kooled at Gosford when resuming, and she was nothing short of outstanding when greeting the judge more than five lengths ahead of her rivals at Goulburn last time.
This is a decent rise in class, but she’ll take further improvement into this race, and she clearly has plenty of ability.
Race 5 – 2:50pm – The Kosciuszko, (1200m)
Some of the best country-trained gallopers in Australia will seek their share in $1.3 million at Randwick on Saturday and while there is a case to be built for most, I am going to stick with Front Page.
Front Page’s owners turned down some big offers from Hong Kong last year, after the galloper returned some eye-catching performances in town.
He has stripped fitter for three starts back this time and takes his place in The Kosciuszko field following a second placing in BM84 company at The Valley.
With even luck under Kerrin McEvoy, I think that he can record the biggest win of his career as he looks to be in peak order for Saturday.
Race 6 – 3:25pm – Group 3 Sydney Stakes, (1200m)
This Everest consolation race has drawn a typically smart field of sprinters, but I think that Standout only needs to hold his form to win.
The Exceed And Excel entire didn’t come up in autumn this year, and while he needed his first run back when sixth in the Concorde Stakes, he was very impressive into second behind Masked Crusader in the Premiere Stakes second-up.
He is drawn to receive a lovely run again this weekend in the Sydney Stakes and with even luck, he can return a winner.
Race 7 – 4:15pm – The Everest, (1200m)
With $15 million on the line, it’s fair to say that The Everest shapes as a fascinating betting race again this year and every horse in the capacity field of twelve has claims.
I have been with Masked Crusader in each of his three starts back this time, and I am happy to stick with him in The Everest.
The Toronado gelding recorded his first win at the highest level in March’s William Reid Stakes, and he was unlucky not to add the TJ Smith Stakes to his CV in April.
He has won two from three starts back this time, highlighted by a particularly impressive performance in the Premiere Stakes last time, and he strikes The Everest in peak order.
I am also going to have something on Home Affairs.
Home Affairs is the sole three-year-old in The Everest field this year, but he has more than stamped himself as a quality sprinter on the rise, and he was an impressive winner of the Heritage Stakes when resuming.
He boasts plenty of upside, gets into the race well and will take beating.
Race 8 – 4:50pm – Group 3 Craven Plate, (2000m)
Think It Over looks well placed to record another win in Saturday’s Craven Plate.
The Group 1 winner returned a fair effort in the Winx Stakes when resuming this time before charging in to win the Chelmsford Stakes.
He has since finished third in the George Main Stakes, won the Hill Stakes and so long as he holds his form, he can just win again.
Race 9 – 5:30pm – Bentley St Leger Stakes, (2600m)
Entente only just missed in The Metropolitan a fortnight ago, and he can go one better in the St Leger Stakes on Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrain Bott-trained stayer has been a great horse for the stable throughout his career, but he really does look to have gone to a new level this time.
On top of that, he won the Colin Stephen Quality a week prior to his eye-catching effort in Group 1 company last time.
He steps out in this contest at peak fitness, Timmy Clark retains the ride and with appropriate luck, he is clearly the one to beat in my opinion.
Race 10 – 6:10pm – Heineken 3 Handicap, (1400m)
Cape Breton will make his return to the races in the last on The Everest Day, and I am happy to have something on.
The Vancouver colt enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence when debuting earlier this year, winning each of his first two starts and ending his prep with a run in Group 1 company, albeit a bridge too far at that point of his career.
He’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to his return, and I think that he can and will return a nice effort.
