Giga Kick wins The Everest 2022: finishing order, dividends, Randwick crowd pictures
Trainer Peter Snowden has delivered a telling insight into where he rated shock Everest winner Giga Kick after the Victorian speedster caused a boilover in the $15 million sprint.
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Mazu confirmed not only that he belonged at the elite level but will be fighting out Everests for years to come after his brave third placing at Randwick on Saturday.
He’s only an early four-year-old but he more than matched it with the best sprinters in the land, and not under the best circumstances.
His co-trainer Peter Snowden has won two Everests with Redzel in the Triple Crown colours and Mazu looks certain to carry them with distinction for many seasons to come.
Snowden will prepare the son of Maurice for four or five more races but like all trainers with Everest horses, it’s hard to not already think about next year’s race.
“This time next year he’ll be a tougher horse for this,” Snowden said.
“We do have a few more years with him but the winner (Giga Kick) does too and hats off to the winner who did a great job.
“I didn’t rate him (Giga Kick) and I thought these tougher horses would’ve found him out but he did a super job.”
Mazu got flushed out wide in the run from his awkward draw but didn’t give up as he flew home late to nab a placing.
“The draw was always going to make things difficult and we got an OK run with no favours but he toughed it out really well and I was really proud of him over the last 100m,” Snowden said.
“When Sam (Clipperton) went for the whip he came really hard in the last part and I’m very happy with him.
“It just shows you what sort of fight this horse has in him.”
Punters will get to see him one more time this spring when he contests the Nature Strip Stakes at Rosehill in a fortnight.
“Next time in, with the grounding of this preparation, in the autumn he’ll get to the TJ Smith and the All Aged Stakes which I’m busting to get him to,” Snowden said.
“He’ll only have a few runs in the autumn then we start getting him ready again for the Everest.”
THE TAB EVEREST WINNER
The 2022 Everest has been run and won by Giga Kick with Private Eye second while Mazu held out the hot favourite Nature Strip for third.
Nature Strip looked to have the race in his keeping as the field entered the straight, but the youngster from Victoria, Giga Kick, was not to be denied storming home to victory.
For 27 year-old trainer Clayton Douglas it was a dream come true while slot holder James Harron collected his third Everest after being successful with Redzel in the first two runnings of the race.
Placings:
First: #12 Giga Kick Win $23.00, Place $4.80
Second: #6 Private Eye, $3
Third: #5 Mazu $3.70
OMG GIGA KICK HAS WON THE EVEREST! 😱@Dougie_5@CWilliamsJockeypic.twitter.com/iwamti2PyI
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 15, 2022
RACE EIGHT: VILANA WINS SILVER
The $1 million Silver Eagle has been run and won by Godolphin runner Vilana after a wide swooping run.
Placings:
First: #3 Vilana Win $6.50, Place $2.20
Second: #1 Mr Motzart $1.80
Third: #7 Brigantine $3.50
VILANA TAKES OUT THE SILVER EAGLE! @nashhot@JamesCummings88@godolphinpic.twitter.com/kCJqeNExME
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 15, 2022
RACE SEVEN: EVEREST TIPS
See Ray and Ron’s full The Everest field preview HERE
Nature Strip is still the clear favourite at $1.80 and the money is still coming at that price with only Masked Crusader, Jacquinot and Eduardo under double figure odds.
RACE SIX: ROCKET HURTS PUNTERS’ POCKETS
Rank outsider Rocketing By flashed home to defeat In The Congo leaving the bookies counting their profits ahead of The Everest. The winner paid $67 on the NSW tote and was 70/1 fixed.
Placings:
First: #14 Rocketing By Win $67.10, Place $11.30
Second: #4 In The Congo $2.10
Third: #15 Weona Smartone $5.40
What a finish!
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
Rocketing By gets up on the inside to win for @DavidPfieffer ridden by @RachelK11 in the G3 Fujitsu General Sydney Stakes. pic.twitter.com/Emyi12XLSn
RACE SIX TIPS
Ray Thomas: Remarque has been so impressive in his two runs back and the improving track conditions will be to his advantage. The Team Hawkes-trained sprinter has always shown ability but it seems he is finally ready to realise his potential. In The Congo will race on the speed and give a great sight. Apache Chase and Kementari will have their admirers, too.
Ron Dufficy: This is another super race, Ray. I’m with Kementari. He competed against the big guns in the Premiere Stakes last start and wasn’t beaten far at all. The soft track suits him, plenty of speed up front and with Nash Rawiller back on board he will be hard to beat. I want to stick with the Premiere Stakes form with Apache Chase the danger. He just needs to stay fresh enough for the 1200m but he did win a Group 1 second-up at 1300m last campaign. Forbidden Love has been kept nice and fresh with this race in mind, he just needs luck from the draw. Likewise from In The Congo who has been freshened up and is a tried and proven sprinter.
Congratulations to all the winning owners of Front Page @DuryeaRacing taking out the $2 Million Kosciusko 💰#TABEverestpic.twitter.com/nGvRXFkkcG
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
RACE FIVE: FRONT PAGE WINS THE KOSCIUSZKO
It’ll be party time in Corowa after the Geoff Duryea trained Front Page claimed the $1 million prize for winning The Kosciuszko. It was a lbrave ride from jockey Tyler Schiller who booted his horse to the front and stuck to the unfavoured rails daring the field to close the gap.
Placings:
First: #3 Front Page $5.90, Place $2.60
Second: #6 Far Too Easy $2
Third: #7 Fender $5.90
RACE FIVE TIPS
Ray Thomas: This is a terrific race. I’ve gone wide here with Commando Hunt. He will enjoy the genuine tempo and soft track conditions, and will be finishing hard. He’s over the odds at $31 but that is a reflection of the depth of this Kosciuszko field. Far Too Easy is drawn to get the right run and will be hard to beat. The undefeated Talbragar has loads of talent, then there is the classy Art Cadeau, Handle The Truth, Front Page etc. Super race.
Ron Dufficy: The horse that sets up the best is Far Too Easy. He has had his two runs back, he has form around the favourite It’s Me, he’s had a recent Eagle Farm barrier trial, he has the best draw and is screaming out for 1200m now. I think Front Page is hard to read with no official trial but if he brings his form from his first-up run in May from the Wagga Town Plate he will win this race. He hasn’t been past a soft 6 which is the query. Art Cadeau is a terrific horse and his Randwick form on the soft is very, very good.
RACE FOUR: STOCKMAN SALUTES IN ST LEGER
The punters came for Stockman late and they got it right with the Sam Clipperton lifting the Joe Pride trained gelding to victory ahead of a hame Arapaho.
Placings:
First: #2 Stockman Win: $3.70, Place $1.50
Second: #3 Arapaho $2.30
Third: #5 Sacramento $2.20
Stockman takes out the @TheStarSydney St Leger Stakes! @PrideRacing 🔥 #TABEverestpic.twitter.com/W1Y6qko0ot
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
THE FASHION IS ON POINT
– Jonathon Moran
The Everest did not disappoint in the trackside fun.
Celebrities, politicians and business leaders flocked to Royal Randwick racecourse to be part of the richest race on turf, the TAB Everest.
After some pretty ordinary weather of late, the sun was out, which boosted the spirits of race goers keen to make the most of the spectacular day.
“It is such an incredible day here trackside for TAB Everest,” Nikki Phillips said, wearing a Toni Maticevski dress and Stacey Hemera Roberts hat. “The crowd is electric, fashion is on point, phenomenal racing and even sydney has turned on the weather. It truly is a great day to be here at Royal Randwick.”
Simone Holtznagel also wore white, opting for a Lillian Khalifa dress and Ezara/J hat.
“I love the races and everyone says The Everest is a highlight each year and this being my first time, I can attest that it will be a highlight for me in the future too,” Holtznagel said. “I’m really impressed by the fashions, people have stepped it up big time. What a day.”
Other celebrities seen trackside include Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Natalie Barr, Sam Armytage, Emma McKeon, Sonia Kruger and Jules Robinson.
“Being a Fashion Stakes judge today, even on the walk in I know the stakes are going to be high,” Robinson said. “The sun is shining and the atmosphere here is amazing it is absolutely one of my favourite days of the year.”
NRLW player Tiana Penitani ditched her footy gear for a cute pink Aje dress.
Stylist Donny Galella noted most stuck to the theme of ‘a touch of blue’.
“Everyone has really upped the ante this year at Everest,” he said. “Looking around I’m seeing every shade of blue from pastel blue to popping cobalt blue. With styles, puffy sleeves, big shoulders, one shoulder dresses and gorgeous textures like lace and flowing chiffons. Also noticing lots of large beautiful big brim hats, which I am really loving.”
RACE FOUR TIPS
Ray Thomas: Stockman is a tough stayer and ran well in The Metropolitan, finishing a close fourth. The set weights conditions of the St Leger suit. Chalk Stream, raced by His Majesty King Charles III, is a genuine stayer and is there to run well. Cadre Du Noir is in very good form and Carif is capable of running competitively at each way odds.
Ron Dufficy: I like Stockman. He was beaten less than a length in The Metropolitan and that has to be good form for this race. He gets the race run to suit. If it gets a little drier on the day Sacramento is absolutely flying and he did a great job in The Metropolitan. Cadre Du Noir has lifted in better class his last two starts and is a stayer on the rise. Chalk Stream has had 42 days and a trial his last two runs and I can see him running well here.
RACE THREE: CASCADIAN DELIVERS IN CRAVEN PLATE
Everest Day punters will have built their bank a little in the third race of the day after odds on favourite Cascadian surged to victory. Zeyrek attempted to bust the field opening up an eight lengths lead at one point but when the whips got cracking it was James McDonald and Cascadian who got moving in a victory that was sure to be popular, if not particularly lucrative, for plenty of racegoers.
Placings:
First: #1 Cascadian Win $1.60, Place $1.10
Second: #2 Just Folk $2.40
Third: #10 Promitto $2.90
All class from Cascadian 🙌 @macajames@JamesCummings88 bringing up win 🔟 in the New Tab App Craven Plate! #TABEverestpic.twitter.com/zLP0yYkPAp
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
THE CROWD KEEPS POURING IN
Sydney has turned on an absolute stunner of a day and racegoers have responded by donning their best gear. Check out some more shots of the crowd as they enjoy the atmosphere.
RACE THREE TIPS
Ray Thomas: Cascadian was considered suspect at 2000m but he was far too good for Numerian and Montefilia in the Hill Stakes. He’s coming back slightly in trip to 1800m which suits and this is an easier race. He should win again. Surf Dancer will be riding the speed and is going to give Cascadian something to chase. Promitto is capable on soft-heavy tracks and can race well. Hezashocka gets the rain-affected track he needs and can be competitive.
Ron Dufficy: Hard to go past Cascadian. He made easy work of it winning the Hill Stakes, this is no harder and back to the 1800m is no problem at all for him. I’m not giving up on Promitto with the 50kg here. He might just tag the lead and run a decent race; all he has to do is run the distance. Surf Dancer won the Shannon Stakes well first-up but he doesn’t want it too wet although he does get complete control. The dark horse here is the Kiwi Pinarello as this looks the one target for him.
Look out for @ZRKD Robbie Dolan's new song 'Stay With Me' that drops on @Spotify on Friday.
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
He may need to rename it after winning the Big Dance Wild Card on Cisco Bay. pic.twitter.com/oQ0GL5dkIN
RACE TWO: BOOKIES TAKE THE CASH
Rank outsider Cisco Bay saluted in the second race of the day delivering better than 20/1 for the punters who jumped on board.
Placings:
First: #7 Cisco Bay Win $22.80, Place $6.40
Second: #9 Wicklow Place $2.50
Third: #13 Two Big Fari Place $3.20
RACE ONE: A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE
The first race of the day has been run and won with A Lot More Love saluting in the Reginald Allen Quality from Vienna Princesss second and Call Di third.
Placings:
First: #5 A Lot More Love Win $8.50, Place $3.10
Second: #15 Vienna Princess Place $6.00
Third: #12 Call Di Place $3.40
We are off and racing on TAB Everest Day at #RoyalRandwick.
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
A Lot More Love with @brentonavdulla races away in the Listed Bisley Workwear Reginald Allen Quality for @GRyanRacing. pic.twitter.com/xGCPNqJWON
SYDNEY’S SOCIAL SET HIT THE TRACK
Models, actors and Olympians were out in force enjoying the sunshine at Royal Randwick ahead of the The Everest.
TRACK LOOKING GOOD EARLY
Champion jockey Brenton Avdulla gives his thoughts on the Royal Randwick track.
Sun’s â˜€ï¸ out Gun’s out!@brentonavdulla has walked the #RoyalRandwick track and is excited to partner Private Eye for @PrideRacing in the @inglis_sales slot in the #TABEverest. pic.twitter.com/phwQdZqN9f
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 15, 2022
IT’S AN EMERGENCY
Nature Strip is the defending titleholder in The Everest and he will go to the post as the shortest favourite in the race’s history later today.
In fact, Nature Strip has firmed into $1.65 favouritism after the shock early morning scratching of his main danger, Lost And Running, with a fetlock injury.
Lost And Running’s trainer John O’Shea said his sprinter’s injury issue is only minor but he did not want to risk him in a high-pressure The Everest.
The scratching opened the door for emergency Kementari to enter the field, and while punters have not warmed to the Godolphin stable veteran Daily Telegraph expert Ray Thomas says the eight-year-old is not without hope.
Ray’s Kementari Analysis:Kementari gets a late call-up into The Everest due to the race-morning scratching of Lost And Running. Godolphin’s popular warhorse, widely known as “Special K”, goes into the race after a half-length fourth behind Lost And Running, Mazu and Masked Crusader in the Premiere Stakes. That’s excellent Everest form -- he loves Randwick and will run a competitive race.
HERE COMES THE EVEREST CROWD
THE SUN IS SHINING AHEAD OF EVEREST
Champion sprinter Nature Strip has woken to blazing sunshine and an improving track surface for the $15 million The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick later today.
Nature Strip’s preparation has gone like clockwork for the world’s richest turf race including his Thursday morning workout on the Rosehill course proper.
Trainer Chris Waller had Nature Strip out early this morning for trackwork with the gelding restricted to light exercise ahead of today’s big race.
With Lost And Running out of The Everest, Nature Strip dominates the betting with Eduardo now the $9 second favourite just ahead of Jacquinot at $10 and Masked Crusader at $11.
Royal Randwick is bathed in sunshine on a sparkling, cloudless Sydney spring day with the track rating improving to a soft 7 with the likelihood of an upgrade during the day.
DRAW NO BARRIER FOR NATURE STRIP
Punters Inside Run form guru Mick Sharkie said only bad luck in running would stop the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip taking out his second successive Everest.
“Nature Strip is the world’s best sprinter and it’s a joy to watch a horse like this at the top of its game,” Sharkie told this week’s episode of Punters Inside Run.
“It would take bad luck in running or an incredible peak effort from one of his rivals, he’ll be winning this. Stand and cheer for a champion.”
Punters Inside Run host Matthew Campbell said drawing barrier 12 of 12 would not stop star jockey James McDonald steering Nature Strip to victory.
“With some horses the outside barrier would be the ‘kiss of death’, but not for Nature Strip,” Campbell said.
“He won the T J Smith from 11 and last year’s Everest from 10. In basketball terms he’s in line for a ‘Triple Double’.”
Winx and Nature Strip top Australia’s all-time prize money earners, followed by dual The Everest winner Redzel ($16.44m), Verry Elleegant ($14.88m) and three-time Melbourne Cup champion Makybe Diva ($14.52m).
WHO THE BOOKIES ARE TIPPING
Racenet’s stable of bagmen have got stuck into the form for The Everest, and while it’s not unanimous there is a clear nod for favourite Nature Strip.
Glenn Munsie – TAB
NATURE STRIP – Race 7 No. 1 (Randwick)
Wide draw enables him to be where he wants to be early and let those inside him worry about speed. Handles wet ground and comes into this looking unbelievable.
Matthew Campbell – BetR
NATURE STRIP – Race 7 No. 1 (Randwick)
Not a lot to say that hasn’t already been said, barrier doesn’t hurt him, track condition won’t hurt him and he just looks like he’ll do what he does. Win!
Ryan Ingram – Sportsbet
JACQUINOT – Race 7 No. 11 (Randwick)
Following the Yes Yes Yes path of a three-year-old out of the Golden Rose dropping back 200m, in well at the weights, I think history could repeat itself here.
Joshua Bell – Ladbrokes
MASKED CRUSADER – Race 7 No. 4 (Randwick)
Went to within a head of beating the fastest horse in the world in this race last year and he’s arguably going better! He does need things to go his way during the run but watch for him late.
Brendon Holt – Pointsbet
NATURE STRIP – Race 7 No. 1 (Randwick)
Has been unstoppable at 1200m for the last couple of seasons and nothing I have seen suggests this will change on Saturday. Wide draw should actually suit.
Matt Shean – BlueBet
PRIVATE EYE – Race 7 No. 6 (Randwick)
Perhaps not through the strongest race but brings some different form through a superb win in the Gilgai Stakes. Ran super sectionals and looks to have come back in career best form.
Clint Wallis – Neds
NATURE STRIP – Race 7 No. 1 (Randwick)
This horse’s untapped potential might be on full display here in the Caulfield Guineas. His progression through the ranks over his last few starts has been admirable.
James Thomas – Palmerbet
NATURE STRIP – Race 7 No. 1 (Randwick)
Can’t go past the defending champ. Won the TJ Smith in a canter before giving them a galloping lesson at Royal Ascot. He should be winning.
Matthew Steed – Bet365
NATURE STRIP – Race 7 No. 1 (Randwick)
Champion Sprinter that returned in good order when resuming after his overseas stint. Had most of his main rivals behind him that day and just hard to see them turning the tables here.
SHOCK AS SECOND FAVOURITE SCRATCHED
Second favourite Lost And Running has been scratched from The Everest.
Racing NSW said: “A vet inspection of Lost And Running this morning has found Lost And Running to be lame in the off hind leg and unsuitable to start in The Everest.
“Lost And Running has been scratched from The Everest.
“TAB has selected Kementari as the replacement which will start from barrier 7.”
A vet inspection of Lost And Running this morning has found Lost And Running to be lame in the off hind leg and unsuitable to start in The Everest. Lost And Running has been scratched from The Everest. TAB has selected Kementari as the replacement which will start from barrier 7.
— Racing NSW Stewards (@RNSWStewards) October 14, 2022
Lost And Running had been a solid $7 second favourite behind hot favourite Nature Strip and Kementari’s inclusion in the field has seen the James Cummings-trained galloper listed at $41 with the favourite firming to $1.65.
In another twist, Hugh Bowman, who was the rider of Lost And Running, has been chosen to ride Kementari.
Randwick was rated a soft 7 at 7.30am with 13 scratchings for The Everest meeting with second favourite Espiona coming out of the $1m Silver Eagle at 7.28am.
WALLER BACKS GROUP 1 BID FOR EVEREST
Sydney’s Super Saturday of racing at Royal Randwick only lacks one element – Group 1 status for the $15 million The TAB Everest.
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller is the latest high profile racing industry participant who has endorsed The Everest being to Group 1 level.
Waller’s view was supported by champion jockey James McDonald as both men addressed the media after The Everest favourite Nature Strip worked at Rosehill Gardens on Thursday morning.
“Group 1 status is a label and The Everest doesn’t have that label yet,’’ Waller said.
“But the race has surpassed expectations. Everyone around the world is talking about it, everybody wants to run in the race. So from that side of things, in my mind it is a Group 1 race.’’
Waller prepared Nature Strip to win The Everest last year with the champion training on to win three more Group 1 races including the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. He is now recognised as the world’s number one-ranked sprinter.
McDonald feels it is only a matter of time before the world’s richest turf race is given Group 1 status.
The Everest was the highest-rating race Nature Strip won last year and
“The Everest definitely deserves it, it’s a Group 1 race for sure and no doubt it will be in time,’’ McDonald said.
“As you can see, what Nature Strip did at Royal Ascot (winning the King’s Stand Stakes) shows we have the best sprinters in the world.’’
The Everest is the feature of an outstanding day’s racing at Royal Randwick with the 10-race program offering nearly $23 million prizemoney, making it the richest race day in the southern hemisphere.
There are 165 entries across the 10 races with five events worth $1 million or more. The addition of the Silver Eagle and Group 3 Angst Stakes has only added to the quality of the Randwick program.
FIVE THINGS WE WILL LEARN ON EVEREST DAY
1: Sprint Star
The Everest is a fascinating mix of the established old guard led by superstar Nature Strip, Eduardo and Masked Crusader, the next wave with the likes of Mazu, and the young guns, Jacquinot and Giga Kick. The winner earns for connections a cool $6.2 million prizemoney and acknowledgment as the nation’s best sprinter.
2: Chasing Winx’s record
Winx’s world prizemoney record of $26,451,014 was supposed to stand the test of time when she retired three years ago. But if Nature Strip wins The Everest on Saturday, his earnings will rise to $25,260,008, nipping at the great mare’s record.
3: Golden Eagle Qualifier
The Silver Eagle was delayed a week due to the Randwick washout but the race had to be rescheduled as the top three finishers are guaranteed a start in the $10 million Golden Eagle later this month. For Team Hawkes, it has proven a blessing as their classy four-year-old Mr Mozart has drawn the rails barrier on Saturday after it was allocated gate 18 last week.
4: Tough Decision
Sydney jockeys Josh Parr, rider of Duais, Tim Clark (Knights Order), Jason Collett (Montefilia), Tommy Berry (Numerian) and Regan Bayliss (Benaud) are hoping they made the right decision to ride in the Caulfield Cup and not The Everest.
5: Bush Battle
How good is the field for The Kosciuszko? This race has attracted the best country sprinters including three previous The Kosciuszko winner Handle The Truth (2019), It’s Me (2020) and Art Cadeau (2021). Handle The Truth is contesting the race for a record fourth time after having finished fourth and second the last two years.
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