Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys helps conduct the barrier draw for The Everest

Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys had a very unique idea to conduct the barrier draw for The Everest at Bondi Beach on Tuesday - but Sydney’s weather ruined it.

It was almost the most exciting barrier draw the world has ever seen and one that would have made headlines around the globe – until the Sydney weather rained on the parade.

The barrier draw for The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, took place at Bondi Beach yesterday but it should have actually happened in the surf.

“We were going to have a jet ski to take representatives for each horse out to the buoy 100 metres off the shore to collect the numbers for each barrier,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.

No really. Horse racing people may be happier on dry land but the plan was to velcro balls with barrier numbers on them to the yellow buoy out at sea and then zip some of the most influential people in racing out through the waves to pick them up.

Peter V'landys at the barrier draw of the 2021 Everest horse race on Tuesday. Picture: Richard Dobson

“There is always next year,” said Mr V’landys, casting a frustrated glance at the wind whipped white caps outside. The weather remains annoyingly out of his control.

Any who doubt that this remarkable plan came close to fruition should remember that this is the man who created a controversy when he projected the numbers of the barrier draw onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House, putting the race onto front-pages around the world.

The barrier draw has also been projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower so Bondi Beach was the next most obvious icon to promote the race and the city to the world.

One of those lined up to jump on the jet ski was King’s Cross and racing identity Max Whitby, one of the first to invest $600,000 a year for a slot in The Everest.

“I am not sure Max can swim though, he could have been the second Harold Holt,” quipped Mr V’landys.

Max Whitby has paid $600,000 to get a slot in this year’s Everest. Picture: Christian Gilles

At 70 and with two new knees, Mr Whitby was more than up for the challenge. “Of course I was going to do it. Better than last year when I had to climb the stairs in the tower, I was crook as Rookwood after that,” he said. “I’m a swimmer. In fact if Peter V’landys wants to have a race in the water I’m ready.”

That remained a moot point with all racing focus yesterday on The Everest and its whopping $15 million payday. Mr Whitby believes Masked Crusader, which drew barrier nine in the Plan B calmer surrounds of North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, is a “very good chance”.

So too is last year’s winner Classique Legend, which is trained by veteran Les Bridge. It jumped from barrier six last year and drew barrier five on Saturday. “He is just going to have to be a rally good horse to win this race again - and he is a really good horse. They will bring the house down if he wins,” Mr Bridge said.

Julie Snook from Sky Racing at the Everest barrier draw. Picture: Richard Dobson

Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive NSW Steven Pearce was also disappointed that the horsey types did not get a very different ride.

“We were really excited to try and do something out there with our volunteers, jet skis and rubber duckies,” he said. “The weather prevented it but we would love to do something in the future.

“Surf Lifesaving is very happy to be involved in what is seen as Australia’s most iconic horse race in The Everest.”

With lockdown over and crowd numbers now boosted to 10,000, the timing of The Everest in the first week of new-found freedoms could not be better for the people of NSW.

Mr V’landys urged Sydneysiders to “come out and celebrate. It‘s the first big event that we have … so let’s come and enjoy what’s going to be one of the greatest races in NSW history.”

That sentiment was echoed by Australian Turf Club chief executive Jamie Barkley who said: “We are so excited, Sydney is open and we are back on the track. The eyes of world racing will be following all that happens at Royal Randwick on Saturday.”

Trainer Les Bridge and Everest runner Classique.

The crowds will be peppered with familiar faces all keen to get out and enjoy the freedom of mixing with people and having a flutter. Cruising through the champagne sipping throng are expected to be Swans superstar Buddy Franklin and teammate Joel Amartey. The eagle eyed may well spot TV host Karl Stefanovic putting on a bet.

Some of the biggest names in Australian media will be gathered in the Director’s Room including James Warburton, chief executive of Seven, Mike Sneezby, chief executive of Nine, Paul Whittaker, chief executive of Sky News.

Also glittering on the day will be The Everest’s $625,000 trophy containing 7374 black diamonds, 586 white diamonds and two rubies. Sky News racing presenter Julie Snook picked it up for a photograph and gasped: “it’s worth a house … and it’s very heavy.”