THE EVEREST: To Royal Randwick and beyond – master trainer turns fanboy as Everest conquers the world
Chris Waller says The Everest brings Sydneysiders together. What he wants to know is this. Will it bring King Charles to Royal Randwick?
Beautiful Sydney morning. We’re up with the sun, birds, jockeys, horses and trainers.
Someone’s whistling What A Wonderful World while superstar trainer Chris Waller gives his mighty mares Joliestar and Fangirl a gallop before Everest Day at Royal Randwick.
Which will be big.
How big, in your knowledgeable eye?
“Everybody’s talking about The Everest around the world,” Waller says. “People not just in Australia, but other countries. People with sprinters, in particular, trying to get here, trying to learn more about the race, seeing what it takes to win the race. It’s a genuine Group 1 event, bringing the best together. It’s a showpiece for our sport and the most talked about sprint race in the world.”
Royal Randwick will be at its 50,000-strong capacity for the eighth running of the $20m The Everest. Seven million goes to the winner. What a financially wonderful world. Waller’s Joliestar and the Peter Moody-trained I Wish I Win are the equal $6 favourites for the richest turf race on the planet. Waller is a two-time Everest winner thanks to Yes Yes Yes and Nature Strip. Joliestar is a red-hot chance to be the first mare to salute. How big a chance, in your knowledgeable eye?
“It’s a hard question, quantifying a horse’s ability,” Waller says. “They’ve got to do it under pressure and The Everest on Saturday will bring pressure to horses that they haven’t raced under before. It’s a unique race that brings together the best, and Joliestar will be racing against the best for the first time. She’s well supported in the market but she’s still got a big step to take.”
Waller admits training an Everest favourite carries pressure. “A little bit, yeah,” he says. “The Everest is worth so much money. There’s so much at stake. You’ve got slot holders. You’ve got the owners of the horse and obviously the expectations of the public.
“It’s going to be a sellout crowd at Randwick and all of these aspects create pressure, but it’s a pressure that is a privilege to be part of. It’s an amazing race and it really has taken racing in Sydney to a new level.”
A paradox of Everest Day? The most entertaining race might not be The Everest. Waller’s Fangirl is embarking on a fascinating showdown with the Ciaron Maher-trained Pride of Jenni in the King Charles III Stakes. In short, Pride of Jenni is likely to bolt to a huge lead. Then try to hold on while Fangirl and the rest mow her down. Pride of Jenni bolted to a mad 30-length lead and held firm in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April. One of the most jaw-dropping and thrilling races you will ever see.
“Pride of Jenni, you have to have a very fit horse to beat her,” Waller says. “And the horse will have to be in a race she isn’t really used to. Basically, you’re running on a red line the whole race. It’s like taking a Formula One car to Bathurst … there will be no time to take the foot off the accelerator. That race is what fans want. They want to see the best horses coming together. They want to see excitement. (Jockey) James McDonald will certainly be locking Pride of Jenni in his sights.”
The biggest question is whether King Charles III will attend the King Charles III Stakes. What a royally wonderful world if he turns up. He’s due in Sydney on Friday evening. My mail says there is “zilch” chance of His Highness having a day at the races but the racing fraternity remains hopeful.
“It would be a huge honour, not just for myself but I think for the racing public,” Waller says. “Royal Randwick, having her Majesty the Queen here previously, it would be fitting if the King and Queen could make it this year. It’s great to have anybody’s support but their support – it shows you what horse racing brings all walks of life.
“From everyday people right through to some very wealthy business people, the people that love sport, the people that love fashion, the people that love a social event. It just brings everybody to a racetrack and to have that royal touch is pretty special. It just shows this is a sport that captures people from all genders and walks of life and brings them together to have a lot of fun.”
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