Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from The Everest day

Racing writer Mitch Cohen reviews all the action from Saturday’s $20 million The Everest card at Royal Randwick.

Bella Nipotina was tough as teak, Ceolwulf announced himself as the next superstar of Australian racing and Far Too Easy had his day in the sun.

The Everest day at Royal Randwick was another unforgettable occasion in front of a modern day record crowd of 49,117 race goers.

Here is Mitch Cohen’s blackbook for the massive feature card.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

GOOD SORT (3rd of 13, Race 3)
With more luck, she wins the Reginald Allen Quality after failing to get clear running at a crucial moment in the straight. She’s worth following from a better draw next start.

It's Aeliana along the inside in the G3 Reginald Allen for @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/uBNYBF6BVJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

LADY LAGUNA (6th of 18, Race 6)
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained mare was forced to go back from a horrible draw before finishing off stylishly in the Sydney Stakes. She looks back to her best and just needs a barrier to show it.

CLIMBING STAR (9th of 18, Race 6)
The Robert Sangster Stakes-winner is going much better than her form suggests and was hampered by another testing wide draw again in the Sydney Stakes. Just wait for the cards to fall her in favour.

Overpass wins the G3 Sydney Stakes, giving Josh Parr a feature double today at Randwick!@BBakerRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/HMKm7lboXn

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

XIDAKI (2nd of 14, Race 8)
Found one better in the Silver Eagle but was doing his best work late to finish just a half-length off the winner. It was a fantastic return and he looks to be in for a great prep.

KONASANA (7th of 14, Race 8)
Never looked a winning hope in her first up assignment but was strong through the line, running the best last 600m of the race. She will have plenty of improvement there going into the rest of the prep.

Ostraka takes control of the G3 Silver Eagle and wins!@blake_shinn | @ANeashamRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/6o0YegHQ1w

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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STEWARDS SAY

BANDI’S BOY (11th of 14, Race 5): Bled in both nostrils for the first time and is now banned from racing for three months.

THINK ABOUT IT (failed to finish, Race 6): Lost his action rounding the home turn and collapsed soon after straightening after suffering a bleeding attack. Made a quick recovery under veterinary supervision. Trainer Joe Pride revealed on Sunday the decision had been made to retire the horse.

I WISH I WIN (11th of 11, Race 7): Under pressure prior to straightening and didn’t respond to riding. He was found to be 1/5 lame in the off-foreleg.

TRAFFIC WARDEN (late scratching, Race 7): Became fractious after being loaded, reared and sat down. Became cast momentarily and was scratched on veterinary advice at the gates.

PRIDE OF JENNI (2nd of 11, Race 9):Owner Tony Ottobre voiced concerns over tactics of Major Beel’s jockey Adam Hyeronimus, alleging his mares his mare’s chances were impeded. Stewards were satisfied no racing rules were broken.

WATCH: Ottobre unhappy over rival’s Jenni tactics

Pride Of Jenni's owner Tony Ottobre complained to stewards about the tactics of a rival jockey after his star mare was defeated in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. 👇https://t.co/cYUP7Zd9A2

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) October 19, 2024

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CRUNCH TIME

LEKVARTE (Race 4): A clear last in the run, she showed an explosive turn of speed from the back to finish off in a slick last 600m of 33.46 seconds in the mile. Her split of 10.76 between the 400m and 200m was decisive.

FAR TOO EASY (Race 5): Poised to strike behind the speed, he pounced on Front Page and clocked a race best final 600m of 33.37 seconds. His final 200m of 11.48 was only equalled by Country Championships winner Asgarda.

BELLA NIPOTINA (Race 7): Showed her elite quality to win The Everest despite being trapped three wide throughout. Her last 600m of 33.76 was the fifth fastest of the race but her ability to show sustained speed on pace was key.

CEOLWULF (Race 9): Was close to 10 lengths off Pride Of Jenni in the King Charles Stakes before surging home to win. His last 600m of 34.50 seconds was the best of the race with a race best final furlong of 11.83 highlighting his dominance on the line.

Epsom winner Ceolwulf with a huge run wins the G1 King Charles III Stakes in front of a record crowd at Randwick!@PrideRacing | @SchofieldChad@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/28oRVnurKS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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TRACK TALK

“She’s a bit like me. She doesn’t like to miss out on a carnival.” — Trainer Ciaron Maher on Bella Nipotina.

“The plan was simple – we just had to trust ‘Bella’.” — Jockey Craig Williams.

“I told them if we win, it only pays for more things in Ukraine, not for more pets. No more kittens!” — Williams again.

“We had our knockers but that goes to show he is a very good horse.” — Clayton Douglas on The Everest runner-up Giga Kick.

“You get a little bit numb as a trainer because if you felt every up and down, it’d send you around the bend. But just really grateful to come across a horse like this.” — Joe Pride on Ceolwulf.

“He’s improving all the time too, which is scary.” — Chad Schofield on Ceolwulf.

What a mare! 🙌

An epic finish to the #TABEverest with Bella Nipotina calling upon all her bravery to win! 😮@CWilliamsJockey | @cmaherracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/joFzBJjypt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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YOU CAN BET ON IT

THE EVEREST
Bella Nipotina barely moved from the $8 she was posted at following the barrier draw. She still held a solid 12 per cent of outlays despite the widest gate. Best of the bets included $8000 @ $8.50, and a separate $8000 the place at $2.90. There were also multiple $2500 bets at $8 and $8.50 and multiple $2000 investments at the same odds. As mentioned previously, TAB split $1m in prizemoney with customers who placed a bet in venue mode on Saturday.

KING CHARLES III STAKES
While the big money was on Pride Of Jenni with multiple bets of note contributing to a hold of 60 per cent for the favourite, Ceolwulf was fourth best backed. Best of the takes were $5000 each-way @ $9/$2.20 plus multiple $2000 outlays at $8.

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THE SCHEDULE
Monday: Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Grafton, Orange
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Hawkesbury
Friday: Queanbeyan, Scone
Saturday: Royal Randwick, Kembla Grange, Mudgee, Albury, Armidale, Casino
Sunday: Coonabarabran, Port Macquarie

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RON DUFFICY’S ROYAL RANDWICK SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY
Royalty did turn up on G1 Tab Everest Day in the form of Bella Nipotina. In an even field she showed her superiority, guts and determination with a thrilling win doing it the hard way.

FORGET THEY RAN
Good Sort was beaten by her stablemate in the Reginald Allen Quality but with any clear run she would have won and won easily. She was stopped in her tracks when gathering full momentum when an anticipated run closed.

THE BLACK BOOK 
Two mares early in their preparations that still have more to offer over spring are Quickster and Lady Laguna. Place both in the right races they can both bob up.

RIDE OF THE DAY 
Craig Williams is a proven big time performer who does his form properly. He was tactically brilliant on Far Too Easy and trusted his Judgement on Bella Nipotina going forward and nobody expected it. Only champion jockeys do that.

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from The Everest day