Watch episode four of The Race, see which Everest horse got what barrier

Sydney Harbour lit up with colourful lasers projected onto a giant 35 metre wide water screen to display the barrier draw for The Everest last night. Find out what happened and watch episode four of The Race here.

Sydney Harbour lit up with colourful lasers projected onto a giant 35 metre wide water screen to display the barrier draw for The Everest last night.

The seventh running of the richest race on turf with $20 million in prize money came a step closer with the trainers and slot holders of the 12 horses learning which barrier they will jump from on Saturday.

The draw had taken place earlier in the day with betting suspended for 10 hours until the owners, trainers and slot holders on board The Jackson superyacht watched the results at just after 8pm.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the “spectacle” on the harbour would be broadcast globally to showcase Sydney to the world.

“The world’s richest race will see a prize pool of over $20 million, but the real prize winner is the local and state visitor economy which will see a major boost in expenditure from overseas and interstate visitors,” she said.

The barrier draw was projected onto a 35 metre wide water display with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a uniquely Sydney backdrop.

Ally Mosley, Emma Coleman and Sally Williams on The Jackson superyacht for the barrier draw. Picture: David Swift

“The barrier draw on Sydney Harbour is a befitting spectacle which will see eyes from across the globe looking on the stunning harbour city.”

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said the barrier draw was just the precursor for an event that provided a major economic boost for the city.

“The barrier has been drawn for the TAB Everest on Saturday, but Sydney is already the winner by the length of the straight,” he said.

“Even anticipation of the world’s richest turf race with 12 of the best equine sprinters has put Sydney on the national and international stage.

Trainer Bjorn Baker and wife Andrea. Picture: David Swift

“Sydney is confirming yet again that when it comes to staging world class events our city is always first out of the barrier.”

Five high capacity pumps capable of filling an Olympic sized pool in just three minutes sprayed 25,000 litres of water into the air.

Powerful lasers then projected the 10 metre tall barrier numbers and jockeys’ colours onto the 720 square metre canvas of water.

Slot holder James Harron was delighted with the barrier his horse cylinder had drawn.

“Barrier four is perfect. He’s a three-year-old so doesn’t have the weight and will be perfectly placed to take on Think About It in barrier five,” he said.

Gerry Harvey was less impressed with barrier 10 for Hawaii Five Oh which he owns with John Singleton.

“I have drawn barriers eight and 12 in the past, so I now have a three time record of drawing bad barriers,” he said.

“We are showing all the signs of finishing in the last three,” he said.

“I want to know what the trifecta is playing for the last three.”

Also unhappy was I Wish I Win’s owner and breeder Mark Chittick.

“We could have done with more space than barrier one, but it is what it is and we will just make the most of it,” he said.

Flow Wood and Heidi Cathels. Picture: David Swift

Trainer of Overpass, Bjorn Baker, was very relaxed on the evening ahead of the draw.

“This event shows how The Everest has turned into the pinnacle of racing in Australia and one of the best races in the world,” he said.

Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran said the barrier draw “encapsulates the excitement” of a race that has transformed racing in Australia and brought a new young audience to racing.

“In sport like life you have got think big and The Everest has been a truly transformative race for Australian racing.”

Syndicator Denise Martin from Star Thoroughbreds brought six of the owners of Espiona to see which barrier she will jump from.

“I think an event like this puts the focus on the sport and allows owners to experience something they could never have imagined,” she said.

Among those on the luxury yacht were racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys and Channel Seven presenter Mel McLaughlin.

Peter V’Landys (centre) arrives at the event with Chris O’Keefe (right). Picture: David Swift

The Everest barrier draw has become renowned for spectacular reveals that have included projecting the numbers onto the pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge and a drone show above The Botanic Gardens.

In 2018 the draw ran into controversy when broadcaster Alan Jones clashed with Opera House chief executive Louise Herron over her opposition to the barrier draw being projected onto the Opera House sails.

John Moore and Angela Belle McSweeney. Picture: David Swift

In a hostile interview Ms Herron said: “We have a policy that protects our world heritage status.”

Jones fired back: “So they’re going to damage it are they?”

He later apologised after calling for her to be sacked and telling her: “We own the Opera House. Do you get that message? You don’t. You manage it.”