Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s soon to be Group 1 Randwick The Everest with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential for a damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
Randwick R8 – $15million The Everest (WFA) 1200m
1. NATURE STRIP (12) 11x231x1x1
T: Chris Waller /J: James McDonald (58.5kg)
Champion sprinter, probably the 2nd best we’ve ever seen in Australia. Is going better than he was last start and he won then. Should do it again.
2. EDUARDO (9) 131x312x14
T: Joe Pride / J: Nash Rawiller (58.5kg)
What a great war horse. Will, as always, be in the fray all the way. His first up run was outstanding then led and run down last start by Nature Strip in lead up. Trialled brilliantly, is flying according to his trainer, loves the mud and his fav jock is back on top. Has claims as always.
3. LOST AND RUNNING (7) 4421x10x31
T: John O’Shea / J: Hugh Bowman (58.5kg)
Might be the dark horse. Always races well at this trip and his win when 2nd up beating rivals Mazu and Masked Crusader in the lead up race last start was outstanding. Ran a good 4th in this race last year and is going a few lengths better this time around. Must be considered. Big show.
4. MASKED CRUSADER (10) 126x579x63
T: Team Hawkes/ J: Willy Pike (58.5kg)
Is ready to show up. Missed the kick by nearly two lengths in this race last year yet went down by a head when he stormed home behind Nature Strip. His run into the race this year has been outstanding and should improve on his classy close 3rd to Lost and Running last start. Very fit now.
5. MAZU (11) 1x11111x52
T: Team Snowden/ J:Sam Clipperton (58.5kg)
This is a really good racehorse. He has the ability to sit off speed and just explode late. Is super fit, loves this trip. Probably gets out when they turn and watch him sprint. He is trained here, is a Gr 1 winner and is 3rd up following a superb effort to narrowly fall to Lost and Running in the mud last start. Did beat Masked Crusader home and that horse was 2nd in this race last year. Big show.
6. PRIVATE EYE (3) 85x35082x1
T: Joe Pride / J: Brenton Avdulla (58.5kg)
Interesting galloper. His win last start at Flemington under a big weight was simply stunning. Ran super fast time this trip and loves this track too. Also loves this distance and I think he settles back and charges home out wide very fast. Have in your numbers.
7. OVERPASS (6) x121557x26
T: Bjorn Baker /J: Rachel King (58.5kg)
Good million dollars earning sprinter but this will test. Was beaten 5 lengths under these conditions by Nature Strip and Eduardo in April then 2nd to Nature Strip first up before 5th to Lost and Running last start. Not keen.
8. INGRATIATING (4) 38x5873x12
T: James McDonald / J: Glyn Schofield (58.5kg)
Will be one of those out the back as the speedsters have their way early. But he is very smart and can run on. Was placed in a Gr 1 Golden Slipper and a Gr 1 Blue Diamond as a baby and his 2nd to Paulele last week in the Gr 2 Schillaci was a super effort as he stormed home late. Is ok in the mud too.
9. JOYFUL FORTUNE (1) 20x44x17x1
T: Mark Newnham / J: Tom Sherry (58.5kg)
Is very fast and drawn to help. His win at Flemington on a heavy track was impressive in a weaker race. But this grade will simply over run him in the straight.
10. SHADES OF ROSE (8) 111xP21111
T: Bjorn Baker / J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg)
Is a winner and her series of wins which now is 7 from past 9 starts suggests she knows how to battle away. BUT, all those wins have been in easier races and this will test her.
11. JAQUINOT (2) 1536×11
T: Mick Kent & Michael /J: Damian Lane (53kg)
Fascinating horse. Trainer says he is a vastly improved horse from his 2YO days and his stunning Gr 1 win last start backs that up. Is very fit, unbeaten this campaign but doesn’t like it too heavy. If they go too hard and overcook early he will be flashing home.
12. GIGA KICK (5) 1×111
T: Clayton Douglas / J: Craig Williams (53kg)
Has potential and attracting Craig Williams to Sydney on Caulfield Cup day shows how much talent he must have. Unbeaten in 4 must weaker races to date but has won them impressively. Never raced this way of going or over this journey but gets back and runs on hard.
13. FORBIDDEN LOVE () x211148x68
T: Michael Freedman / J: – (56.5kg)
Top multiple Gr 1 winning are but this is a bit rich. Does love the mud though and is 3rd up so has some hope because of all that. Place show.
14. APACHE CHASE () 4133x210x5
T: Desleigh Forster/ J: – (58.5kg)
Is ready to show up. Is very fast and ran a cracking 5th to Lost and Running last start after leading. This is much harder though.
15. KEMENTARI () 410x103x54
T: James Cummings J: – (58.5kg)
Great old horse who can cause an upset simply because he has the talent but is pretty unreliable.
16. IN THE CONGO () 1210x329x6
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: – (58.5kg)
Probably doesn’t gain a start and even if he did these will overpower him late.
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