2024 The Everest tips, runner-by-runner form assessments

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the runners in Saturday’s Group 1 The Everest at Randwick.

The $20 million The Everest has drawn together a field of outstanding sprinters, with 12 runners declared for the 1200m weight-for-age contest.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday, plus Clinton Payne’s tips.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

1 – I WISH I WIN

Outstanding sprinter that should relish getting onto big track at Randwick where he’s never finished out of the money in three starts over this distance, all in elite level weight for-age races. Handles all types of ground.

VERDICT: Genuine contender.

Mornington Glory wins the Moir Stakes!!!

First Group 1 victory for @GavinBedggood 🙌

Congratulations to @Brown_ethan8 and all involved! pic.twitter.com/qxbIbgsfRJ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 7, 2024

2 – GIGA KICK

Won the race two years ago as a three-year-old but since the end of his three-year-old season, injury has curtailed his career. Returned in the Concorde and was fair again behind the placegetters in the Premiere. Effective on all surfaces, fitter again and Mark Zahra takes over from James McDonald.

VERDICT: Has each-way prospects.

✈️ Airman has caused an upset in the G2 Premiere Stakes and what a day for @ZacLloydx who rides a treble - and a feature double! 🙌@HawkesRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/fQLtSlvhAk

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

3 – PRIVATE EYE

The oldest horse in the race and he’s been doing it at the elite level for three seasons now. Last win was over 12 months ago but he’s been Group 1-placed since then and has hit the line in his two runs this prep. Should relish the step up to 1200m and is suited in what will be a strongly-run race.

VERDICT: Has performed at this level in the past.

The G2 Shorts at Randwick goes to I Am Me, who puts her name forward for an Everest slot! 🙌@mcacajamez | @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/nw1CGrTI0u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

4 – BELLA NIPOTINA

Arguably the best sprinter in the land this year, having finished first or second five times in Group 1 races. Her two performances this prep have been eye catching and she’ll appreciate the step up to 1200m and handles all types of surfaces.

VERDICT: Impossible to rule her out.

When your wish comes true! 😉

I Wish I Win takes the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup with @luke_nolen in the saddle for Team @moodyracingpgm - @kscoleman!@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/TERTwuUS1e

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 1, 2024

5 – I AM ME

Has been a surprise packet in the lead-up to the race, winning the Concorde and The Shorts to secure her place in the field. She has an excellent record at Randwick and is undefeated this track and trip. The drier the track the better.

VERDICT: Place claims are strongest at this level.

What a finish!@nashhot and @cmaherracing combine to win the G3 Concorde Stakes with I Am Me, and it's a Maher quinella with Bella Nipotina in second place! pic.twitter.com/9S20wni02u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024

6 – STEFI MAGNETICA

Did win the Group 1 Stradbroke in her last start as a three-year-old then resumed in The Shorts where she stormed home from last. Comes into this on the fresh side and her record indicates she would prefer a good rated track.

VERDICT: Will relish a strongly-run race.

The filly Stefi Magnetica wins an epic G1 Stradbroke - and it’s @ZacLloydx with his first Group 1 winner! 🙌@[e-mail]/eQl5rMReHB

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

7 – SUNSHINE IN PARIS

Lightly-raced mare that has an imposing record. Resumed in the Sheraco and maintained her impressive first-up record. Has solid Randwick and 1200m records and she does appreciate racing on the fresh side.

VERDICT: Classy mare with a decision over Joliestar last time.

Sunshine In Paris takes out the G2 Sheraco Stakes in scintillating time! 🔥@ANeashamRacing@RMaloney_Jockeypic.twitter.com/oEHDsVsEeZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 9, 2023

8 – JOLIESTAR

Produced the win of the spring when resuming and thrashing her opponents in the Show County but then stepped up in class and was beaten on her merits in the Sheraco Stakes. Has been freshened since the last run and she does have an excellent fresh record. James McDonald rides.

VERDICT: She’s explosive on her day.

Joliestar returns with a bang! That was arrogant 😳 @[e-mail]/PJd0XxfDtb

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

9 – GROWING EMPIRE

High class three-year-old that lacks experience but has an abundance of talent. Unbeaten against his own age this season before stepping up to weight-for-age in the Manikato Stakes, in which he was grabbed in the last hop.

VERDICT: Beat home I Wish I Win last start so he must be respected.

SOUTHPORT TYCOON FROM THE CLOUDS! 🔥

The Written Tycoon 4YO wins his 2nd Group 1 ⭐️ @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/Gz97Lfbadq

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

10 – TRAFFIC WARDEN

Has come back in outstanding order as a three-year-old, winning the Run To The Rose before being edged out late by his star stablemate Broadsiding in the Golden Rose. Handles all ground and Yes Yes Yes won this race after finishing second in the Golden Rose.

VERDICT: Drawn to get ever chance and gives a sight.

It's Traffic Warden with a statement win in the G2 Run To The Rose, and doesn't @ZacLloydx love it! 🌹@[e-mail]/sjqXOnjPuT

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

11 – STORM BOY

Looked great when dominating from the front at Rosehill in the San Domenico but his preparation has stagnated since the Run To The Rose and Golden Rose, in which he found a few better. Doesn’t want it too wet and has the job ahead to turn the tables on Traffic Warden.

VERDICT: Happy to let him run against us.

Broadsiding! The @godolphin colt becomes the first horse to win the G1 Golden Rose first-up and he is now a three-time G1 winner. That's a third Golden Rose for @mcacajamez 🔵🔵🔵 pic.twitter.com/lOM6NAi36Z

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 28, 2024

12 – LADY OF CAMELOT

The Golden Slipper curse appears to have claimed another victim. Had every chance in the Moir and landed third but it wasn’t convincing then she was safely held in The Shorts when out of the placings. Yet to win at Randwick in three starts.

VERDICT: Out of her depth off recent form.

🪄 Lady of Camelot spins a magical win in the G1 TAB Golden Slipper for@GaiWaterhouse1 /Bott and @blake_shinn!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/bRVsmAwuF9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2024

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

CLINTON PAYNE’S EVEREST TIPS
1st – TRAFFIC WARDEN (No. 10)
2nd – BELLA NIPOTINA (No. 4)
3rd – JOLIESTAR (No. 8)
4th – GROWING EMPIRE (No. 9)

Originally published as 2024 The Everest tips, runner-by-runner form assessments