The Everest 2021 ultimate form guide: Runner-by-runner preview
As runners prepare for the world’s richest horse race on turf in Saturday’s Everest, Sydney’s wild weather could mix things up.
The Everest has become the feature sprint race on the Australian calendar with 12 slot holders competing for a share of $15 million in prizemoney in the 1200m sprint.
The 12-horse field is vying for the $6.2m first prize, $2.14m second, right down to the $450,000 payday for the horse finishing last (although it costs $600,000 just to enter the race, meaning you lose money finishing sixth or lower.
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Last year’s winner Classique Legend is back to defend his crown, having just his second run since his triumph 12 months ago.
There’s a few familiar names looking to knock him off, headed by Nature Strip, who has starred a couple of times over the 1200m at Randwick but is yet to claim The Everest.
There’s the rejuvenated Eduardo, the pride of SA Gytrash and veteran Godolphin sprinter Trekking.
Or could it be the new kid on the block, Masked Crusader, who swoops to victory?
The Everest kicks off 4.15pm on Saturday.
Rain on Thursday night with more expected on Friday in Sydney have pundits believing it’ll be a wet track as winds are forecast to pick up on Saturday, which is expected to throw up a curveball to the runners.
The team at punters.com.au have run their eye over the field and here’s their verdict.
The field
1. Nature Strip (Barrier 10)
The 7YO enters The Everest off two runs for the campaign, as was the case last year. He’s been more impressive in the lead-up races this time around, taking out the Concorde (1000m) first-up by a big margin before being run down by Eduardo in The Shorts (1100m). That performance was reminiscent of the Challenge Stakes in the autumn where he was again beaten by Eduardo. He then bounced back with a 2L victory in the TJ. He’s a big chance in his third attempt at the race.
2. Classique Legend (Barrier 5)
Last year’s winner has had just one start in the past 12 months, finishing down the track in the Hong Kong Sprint. It didn’t work out in Hong Kong and he returned to Les Bridge mid-year. The original plan was to have a lead-up run into The Everest, but with Bridge not entirely happy with the grey after his trial on Sept 10, the focus shifted to a first-up tilt. He’s had two subsequent trials, including a serious hitout on September 24 before a soft trial last week. He’s drawn well in barrier 5. The slight query is whether the lack of race fitness will tell at the end of a high-pressure 1200m sprint.
3. Eduardo (Barrier 7)
He’s had a fantastic 15 months since heading to Sydney to join Joe Pride, winning six of 10 starts which includes a couple of G1 victories. Outside of the G1 wins, he’s also got the scalp of Nature Strip twice at G2 level. He’s better placed for The Everest than 12 months ago, where he had to earn his stripes to gain a slot and had been up for quite a while. He went at a mad pace out in front in The Everest last year and faded to beat just the one horse home. He can be right in the finish this time.
4. Gytrash (Barrier 1)
Back for a second crack at The Everest after finishing third last year, beaten 3L. He made a promising return in The Shorts when an unlucky third to Eduardo. On a day where the fence was the place to be, Jason Collett stuck to the inside but ran out of galloping room late and Gytrash couldn’t be tested over the final 75m. He had two runs over the winter, finishing third in the Goodwood and then 12th (beaten only 2.85L) after a wide run in the Kingsford-Smith. Those runs were to keep him ticking over for another Everest tilt and he looks to be right on track.
5. Trekking (Barrier 4)
The veteran Godolphin sprinter is back for his third crack. It was a late decision for the slot as the Blue Army weighed-up the prospect of going with 3YO Paulele. The knock on Trekking is his last win came back in The Goodwood in 2020, but despite going winless he’s still racing consistently and rarely runs a bad race. He’s finished third in both starts this campaign, peaking on his run late when first-up in the Concorde behind Nature Strip (finishing 2.98L off the Waller sprinter) before a good effort in the Moir behind Wild Ruler, having been held-up on the back of the eventual winner approaching the 100m. He finished third in 2019 and fourth in 2020. The trend might continue with a fifth placing here.
6. Masked Crusader (Barrier 9)
The good: The Team Hawkes 5YO is at the peak of his powers, having proven himself at the top level in 2021. He was second in the TJ, beating home Eduardo and has had a couple of big last-to-first wins this campaign including last start in the G2 Premiere.
The bad: His lack of tactical pace in recent starts is a major concern. Tommy Berry let him find his feet early in the Premiere, confident Masked Crusader was good enough to reel in his rivals. The issue here is if he’s slow away, he could be spotting the leaders a huge start and we get a repeat of The Shorts. If Berry needs to use him up a bit early, it could take away his finishing burst. He really needs to be quicker away here and that’s a major query. With that, he looks short enough in the betting.
7. Wild Ruler (Barrier 11)
The 4YO has put in two good performances so far this campaign. He held down second in the Concorde, 2L off Nature Strip, before his first G1 win in the Moir Stakes. He’s drawn out but given the pace the field should be strung out and Clark can find a spot around midfield. He’s had great success at Randwick, with a 5:4-1-0 record. A dry track is key for him so the forecast is a bit of a concern. If he gets conditions to suit he can be competitive, but a win would be a surprise.
8. The Inferno (Barrier 12)
The former Singapore sprinter has had three starts this campaign since coming to Aus. He went forward first-up at Caulfield and faded to run sixth. He’s bounced back in two subsequent runs where he’s been ridden more conservatively. He had just a couple behind him in the G2 McEwen before swooping to victory over Portland Sky and September Run. He just missed in the G1 Moir behind Wild Ruler last time out when making his run from the tail of the field. He’ll go back again here from the wide draw with the hot pace in the race. Like Wild Ruler, he’s capable of a top six finish.
9. Embracer (Barrier 3)
He’s been consistent in three runs this campaign at G3 and G2 level, placing on each occasion. A wide draw saw him settle midfield last start in the G2 Premiere where he finished off OK for third, but clearly was no match for the late dash of Masked Crusader. This will be too tough for him.
10. Lost and Running (Barrier 2)
He went through the grades impressively early in the year, graduating from a BM72 in March to a dominant winner at Listed level in May, which saw him snapped up for a slot in this race. Is he up to this level? The jury is still out after two runs this preparation. Nothing really went right for him in The Shorts when failing to beat a runner home. It was an improved effort in the Premiere, finishing fourth to Masked Crusader after racing three-wide up on the speed. He might just be a level below the best sprinters at this stage.
11. Libertini (Barrier 8)
Like Classique Legend, Libertini enters the race fresh. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing with the mare, who suffered a minor setback last month. She hasn’t been knocked around in her two trials, although you’d like to have seen a bit more out of her in her most recent hitout on September 24 to have great confidence in her. The positive is she did beat Classique Legend first-up last spring in the Premiere Stakes (although the grey was wide throughout that day).
12. Home Affairs (Barrier 6)
The I Am Invincible colt appears to have been a big improver between his 2YO and 3YO season. He trialled really well coming into the spring and had been down to return in the Run to the Rose, but instead made his first appearance for the campaign in the Listed Heritage. It was a dominant front-running display, carving out solid sectionals throughout. Runner-up Paulele came out and won the Roman Consul by 1.44L. This is a different kettle of fish to the Heritage however. Obviously now he’s taking on seasoned star sprinters, but there’s also going to be a lot of pressure up front. Glen Boss rides, having gotten 3YO Yes Yes Yes home in 2019.
This story first appeared on punters.com.au and was republished with permission.
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