The Race: Final episode of The Everest documentary
It takes just over a minute to complete the 1200m The TAB Everest, but the behind-the-scenes drama has been building for 12 months. In the final episode of The Race, winning trainer Joe Pride reveals his inner turmoil and tension in the moments before the barrier jump. WATCH NOW.
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Trainer Joe Pride revealed his inner turmoil and tension in the moments before his horse Think About It jumped from the barriers to win The TAB Everest.
In the final episode of The Daily Telegraph’s six-part documentary The Race, the trainer is captured, standing alone as he contemplates the enormity of the task facing him in the build-up to the world’s richest race on turf.
“The closer you get to the start the more you start to feel the nerves,” he says.
“It’s things that are out of your control that worry you the most … and I like being in control.”
Pride is just one of the trainers, jockeys, owners and slot holders who allow The Race to candidly document their anxieties and hopes in the final countdown to the $20 million race.
For Pride that ended with Think About It crossing the line first and an ironic laugh at the suggestion that the Warwick Farm trainer with more than 20 years experience was the new kid on the block.
Slot holder Henry Field from Newgate Stud was quietly hopeful before the race and electrified by the “unbelievable” roar of the crowd when the gates opened right from the first race of Everest Day.
He said winning was the culmination of a year-long campaign to get the right horse into the slot that has been followed everystep of the way in The Race documentary.
“We were playing chess all the time, trying to find the right horse, find the right deal,” he says.
“This deal we did with the owners of Think About It was … an easy deal to do. A very fair deal.
“We’re all going to have the greatest night of our life tonight,” he tells The Race.
Overwhelmed jockey Sam Clipperton sums up just what victory in the world’s richest race on turf means when he tells The Race he feels: “On top of the world, like I have just climbed Everest.”
TIME TO GO BIGGER
Royal Randwick racecourse will get new infield seating and possibly two new floors on top of The Winx stand in time for The Everest next year.
Discussions are already underway with the NSW Government after a modern day record of almost 50,000 people packed the racecourse to capacity on Saturday.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said the event “is only going to get bigger” with The Everest signature song of Sweet Caroline being sung by a crowd of 46,498 people “sending shivers” down his spine.
“We’re at capacity. You can’t get any more in, certainly not comfortably, so we’re going to have to look at how we can increase the size,” he said.
The Australian Turf Club had already created 5000 square metres of public space, 40 per cent more bars and food outlets and 50 per cent more toilets to cope with demand this year.
“We may even put another two extra floors onto the Winx Stand,” Mr V’landys said. “When we built the Winx Stand we ensured that we had sufficient foundation to always extend it.”
The stand is already in demand as a function facility on non race days. Mr V’landys said a trip to the Kentucky Derby had offered inspiration for seating and marquees on the infield opposite the existing stands.
NSW Racing Minister David Harris said having racegoers on both sides of the track at the finishing post for the world’s richest race on turf would create an “absolutely amazing” atmosphere.
“We’ve already had a discussion about inside the course there, putting space for another 5,000 people,” he said.
“If the punters want to come, we should accommodate them.
“There are a lot of younger people getting involved, singing Sweet Caroline,” Mr Harris said. “It’s becoming a really, really good event and part of the Sydney calendar that helps our economy.”
The Everest with its unique slot holder selection for horses and $20 million in prize money has attracted a younger crowd to the races with almost 80 per cent of the people there aged between 18 and 35. The number of women attending has increased with the gender divide on Saturday almost equally split.
Melbourne born Belinda Spellson, 32, attended her fifth Everest and said she was “just as excited” as she was the first time she stepped into Royal Randwick Racecourse.
“It‘s great they’re bringing the entertainment and the younger crowd,“ she said before headline act Empire of The Sun started their set at the end of the racing.
“I love the main race. The fashions for sure and just the atmosphere of everyone getting out and enjoying the weather,” Ms Spellson said.
Husband and wife Katlyn and Adam Fletcher and their 14 month-old daughter Mackenzie attended their first Everest on Saturday as part of a racing syndicate from Perth.
“We‘ve got a horse running. We’ve got Overpass,” Mr Fletcher said. “We’ve got people in the syndicate from 14 months to 80.”
Eastern suburbs locals Cara Griffiths, 20, Brooke Dalton, 21, Velvet Sheridan-Burec, 20, and Charlie Jackson, 20, were on track for a great time.
“With the Everest, everyone gets so into it, seeing all your mates, drinks and music,” Ms Griffiths said. ”It‘s a big community and everyone is here for different reasons.”
The day also won big with the punters. Tabcorp chief executive Adam Rytenskild said the seventh running of The TAB Everest was the biggest yet.
“Together with the Hong Kong Jockey club we took wagering on the TAB Everest to the world with World Pools and with Sky Racing beaming the race into over 60 countries,” he said.
“Our first World Pool in NSW saw $66 million invested globally through the Tote – that’s a record for Tote investment in NSW.”
The serious business was on the track with less than 70 seconds seeing the Joe Pride trained Gelding Think About It cross the line first to secure $7 million prize money.
Mr Pride said the win was the “culmination of a lot of hard work” and ended the tension of what had felt like one of the “slowest weeks of my life”.
“I thought it would rush by but it has been a really slow week that felt like when you’re in a dream and you’re running,” he said.
“It was a week I promised myself I was going to try to enjoy and I can’t say I did,” he said after lifting the 8,000 diamond studded trophy. “But I’ll enjoy this.”
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Originally published as The Race: Final episode of The Everest documentary
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