This year’s $20 million The Everest is the most open edition seen in eight editions, and Tuesday night’s barrier draw has done little to sort out the field of 12 for Saturday’s 1200m newly anointed Group 1 at Royal Randwick.
I Wish I Win remains a narrow favourite at $5 after drawing barrier 9, having started the same price as a second elect when held up from barrier 1 last year, finishing second to Think About It.
Giga Kick is aiming to become the second horse to win multiple editions of The Everest and trainer Clayton Douglas believes the horse is ready to fire third-up off an injury enforced spell, happy with barrier three for his gelding, who is an $11 chance.
“You know we’re on the comeback trail and I’ve been really happy with how he’s been coming along so now I’m looking forward to Saturday and I’m very happy with the barrier draw,” Douglas said.
“It gives us options and I think it’s just a perfect gate, so yeah, bring it on.”
In 2022 Giga Kick became the second three-year-old winner after Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and this year’s race will have the most ever three-year-olds with four; three colts and one filly.
Growing Empire and Traffic Warden are prominent in betting at $6 and $9 respectively and drew well, with the former for Yulong Stud drawing barrier 7 and the latter for Godolphin drawing barrier 2, while Storm Boy will jump from barrier 5 and Lady Of Camelot from barrier 11.
James Cummings is copying the playbook of Chris Waller and Yes Yes Yes with Traffic Warden, dropping back from a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and Godolphin’s trainer was happy to draw inside.
“Yeah, it’s a good draw. Two or five with the options that were remaining were good for us. But I came here hoping to get inside four and thinking that wasn’t too much to ask,” Cummings said.
“Look, I think he can belt home. If he can beat Sydney traffic from barrier two, then he should be able to win the Everest.”
Long time Everest fancy Bella Nipotina drew the widest in barrier 12 but remains at $8 as one of five horses at single figure odds, joined by Joliestar who has firmed into $6 after drawing barrier 4.