‘She is in The Everest up to her ears’: The long-shot to watch
She might be considered a long-shot, rated only a $26 chance, but I Am Me’s jockey is confident the mare is in “winning form” ahead of The Everest.
NSW
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She’s won all her Everest lead-up races and beaten the best sprinters in training – but this mare will still start as one of the rank outsiders in the world’s richest turf race at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
I Am Me, trained by Ciaron Maher, has been a brilliant winner of the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts this spring, is rated only a $26 chance in the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m).
But her rider, champion jockey Nash Rawiller, is adamant the mare is one of the best winning chances in the rich Randwick race.
“It’s quite surprising she is those odds, really, as she has the best form around her and it is winning form,’’ Rawiller said. “I’m very confident about her chances.’’
Rawiller confirmed he will ride I Am Me in a crucial track gallop on Monday morning at Maher’s private training complex in Bong Bong.
Racing NSW stewards will be at Bong Bong to supervise I Am Me’s workout to ensure her fitness for The Everest.
I Am Me was found to have a trace of blood from one nostril after a recent barrier trial but the stable is confident the talented mare is in peak condition for The Everest and the gallop before stewards is a precautionary measure.
The all-important Everest barrier draw will be held at Royal Randwick on Tuesday night with Rawiller hoping I Am Me can get a starting position close to the inside rail.
“She drew inside in her two lead-up runs and was able to take full advantage,’’ Rawiller said.
“It would be great if she drew well again. If we get inside three it would be a great help.
“But she is a very straightforward type of horse, she makes her own luck, so even from an awkward draw, she can overcome it pretty quickly.’’
Rawiller has ridden in five Everests with his best results third placings on Eduardo (2021) and Private Eye (2023).
“I’ve got a lot of faith in I Am Me, she is in The Everest up to her ears,’’ he said.
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