The Everest: What time it starts, what to wear, where to watch, who is going to win and the best bet
Here’s everything you need to know about The Everest, from what time it starts, what to wear, where to watch and who will win.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It is the race that kick starts a nation.
The jewel in the crown of The Everest spring racing carnival that pumps a whopping $100 million into the NSW economy.
DOWNLOAD YOUR 2022 THE EVEREST SWEEPS POSTER HERE
In just six years The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, has put Australian racing on the world stage with race fans in 66 countries tuning in to watch the 1200 metre sprint.
Over 40,000 attendees are expected to rock up with local celebs, politicians and an anticipated new wave of young people who are taking up a keen interest in the sport.
So if you want to be part of the action The Daily Telegraph has the ultimate guide for everything you need to know about The Everest.
What is it?
It is the world’s richest race on turf with a prize pool of $15 million. The winner collects $6.2 million, second place gets $2.3 million and even the horse that comes last receives a $450,000 consolation prize.
Why is it so different?
It is a unique concept.
There are 12 slot holders who have each paid $600,000 for the right to choose a horse to run in their race.
Slot holders include racing giants Coolmore, from the Hunter Valley and Ireland, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin, businesses such as Tabcorp and The Star, bloodstock agent James Harron and private investors.
So which horses are running?
The race has attracted some of the best sprinters, trainers and jockeys in Australia.
They include last year’s winner Nature Strip, who is being ridden by James McDonald and is expected to give trainer Chris Waller his third victory in the race.
Aiming to stop that is Lost and Running, who is trained by John O’Shea and has Hugh Bowman in the saddle, and Nash Rawiller on Eduardo. Rachel King on trainer Bjorn Baker’s Overpass is the only female jockey in the field.
Who is going to win?
Literally the $6 million question. Nature Strip is the favourite but at the barrier draw on Tuesday night drew the far outside barrier – number 12 – meaning he will have further to run. That has seen his odds drift out from $1.80 to $2.25.
Punters are also putting a lot of money on Eduardo, which is paying $8.50, and Lost and Running at $6.50.
What’s the best bet?
Nature Strip to win and an each way saver on Jacquinot, who has Damian Lane in the saddle and is paying $10.
If you are feeling lucky then you could put $10 on long shot Joyful Fortune with jockey Tom Sherry which, in the highly unlikely event of them crossing the line first, would see you leave Royal Randwick $510 richer.
Sounds great, where should I watch it?
Trackside is always best. The Everest is expected to attract a crowd of well over 40,000 fans with most of the corporate boxes and special marquees such as China Doll completely sold out.
However there are still plenty of $42 general admission tickets available which gives you access to the new $46.6 million Winx Stand. But arrive early to get a table – gates open at 10,30am and die hard fans will have been queuing from 6am.
If you cannot make it you can join the 9.5 million other Aussies tuning in to Sky Racing or Channel 7’s coverage.
What time does it start?
The race is due to start at 4.15pm. The 12 horses will cover the 1200 metre course in around one minute and 10 seconds. That means the winning horse will earn almost $90,000 a second.
Who else is going to be there?
Who isn’t? There will be a cast of thousands from business, politics and show business, including Australia’s own electronic music duo Peking Duk.
Look out for Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
Seven will have its racing team including Kate Waterhouse and Samantha Armytage on track and many of its stars such as Natalie Barr, Mark Beretta and their Weekend Sunrise colleague Sally Bowrey together with Mark Ferguson and Gemma Acton watching.
Also there will be fashion designer Lillian Khallouf, model Simone Hotznagel and her celebrity trainer boyfriend Jono Castano, Former Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson, New Zealand model Nikki Phillips, NRLW Paramatta Eels player Tiana Pentiani and fashion stylist Donny Galella.
What should I wear?
Something fancy. Eight out of 10 people at The Everest are under the age of 35 and love to dress up.
Fashion is the big thing – for girls that means fascinators and for the boys a suit and tie with a white rose in the lapel.
The theme for everyone is to have a touch of blue.
Should I be excited?
Absolutely. This is the sixth running of The Everest and with the eyes of the world upon it, this is the only place to be on Saturday.
While ‘westies’ bus to Bondi, ‘easties’ bus to Cabramatta
Busloads of people from Bondi are being ferried to Vietnamese settlement of Cabramatta in exchange for the “westies” day-tripping to the famous beach, in a move designed to reverse Sydney’s east-west divide and the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
Blame the lawyers: ABC’s finding on dodgy war crimes story
A final report into how the ABC added gunshots to footage of a helicopter mission in Afghanistan has found the broadcaster’s legal team failed to pass on a letter alerting them to the problem.