2023 The Everest Day Preview

Royal Randwick will play host to one of its biggest meetings of the year on Saturday with the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes and the seventh edition of The Everest set to play out. 

The Golden Eagle continues to take shape with the running of the Silver Eagle, while there’s big value to be found in the $2 million Kosciuszko.

For our thoughts on every race, read our 2023 Everest Day Preview here!

Cleveland is untried over this journey, but I’m keen to see what he can do having finally drawn a good gate. 

The Camelot entire was beaten six lengths by Just Fine in The Metrop a couple of weeks ago, caught three-wide for most of the race and finding himself too far back in the run home. 

That said, he’s much fitter now with three runs under the belt, and I think the booking of James McDonald warrants big respect from the stable. This is slightly easier, and if he can get back early, he should get a good crack at them down the straight. 

1 Unit Cleveland

Iknowastar gets another look in town coming off three very impressive wins at midweek level. 

The Star Witness four-year-old won the Dubbo Cup by over a length two runs back, before taking huge improvement into  his next start at Kensington 10 days ago where he led all the way to win by a cozy three lengths. 

The kick he showed at the top of the straight was impressive, and if he can use his early speed to get across from the wide gate on this occasion, I can’t see him being beat. 

2 Units Iknowastar

Aditi is a quality filly out of the Waterhouse/Bott yard that has really put together an impressive resume so far. 

The Exceed and Excel three-year-old has missed the money only once from four starts, winning by a clear three-length margin two back at Warwick Farm, before finding one better last week at Kensington. 

The form from her maiden win has been strong since, and she does have scope for improvement third-up. The rise to 1400m looks a plus if she can find some luck from out wide. 

1 Unit Aditi 

Tom Kitten rates one of the main chances for James Cummings and Godolphin in the Gloaming Stakes.

Winner of the Up And Coming Stakes to begin his prep, the lightly-raced three-year-old was given every chance two weeks ago in the Dulcify, looming up down the outside at the 400m mark, but hitting a bit of a flat spot that cost him a stride or two in the end. 

I’m willing to forgive him on that effort based on prior form, and I do wonder if he’s looking for further now. If he settles closer to the speed from the soft gate, he should be bouncing back to his best. 

2 Units Tom Kitten 

Very competitive edition of The Kosciuszko with a handful of runners proven fresh, one of those being Opal Ridge. 

The Rubick mare hasn’t been seen since running fifth in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm, a race that basically decided whether or not she could potentially head to The Everest. 

She fells hort of those expectations, but this step back in class does look ideal on return given she’s won at Listed level in the past. The inside gate is to her advantage, and with a perfect first-up record to her name, I think she’ll prove very difficult to hold out. 

2 Units Opal Ridge

Bella Nipotina hasn’t missed the money in seven starts under Craig Williams, and I think that trend could continue here in the Sydney Stakes in her third run back. 

The Pride of Dubai mare was superb in the Premiere Stakes a couple of weeks ago, shifting to the fence in the run home where she really let down well to run within a length of Think About It. 

I’m not sure she’s up to winning a Group 1 again, but she’s returned in great order this prep and I think the wide gate might actually help get back early and swoop home. 

1 Unit Bella Nipotina 

It’s one of the biggest races of the carnival, so I’m happy to have a couple of plays here. 

Think About It’s record speaks for itself, and I still think his best racing is ahead of him. The son of So You Think was all class in the Premiere Stakes first-up, finding the box-seat and drawing clear along the rail to hold off Hawaii Five Oh. 

Buenos Noches also appeals at odds. He recorded a very slick final 200m in the Toy Show Quality, the fastest of the day. He’s fitter now for two runs back, while he also held his own against the likes of Coolangatta earlier in the autumn.

1 Unit Think About It, 1 Unit E/W Buenos Noches 

Ruthless Dame is a much better chance in this year’s Silver Eagle than the price suggests. 

Granted, she was never much of a threat first-up in The Shorts, caught four-wide for most of the journey where she really only found the line fairly late in the piece. 

That said, I don’t think the slow early tempo suited her, and I suspect 1100m was perhaps on the short side. Having run a narrow second to Sunshine In Paris at this stage of her prep in the Surround Stakes earlier in the year, I think we’ll see an improved effort. 

2 Units E/W Ruthless Dame 

If he’s not already, Mr Brightside can confirm his status as the best miler in the world with a win in the inaugural King Charles III Stakes. 

The Lindsay Park team have enjoyed the fruits of their labours so far this prep with the dual Doncaster Mile winner claiming the Memsie Stakes and the Makybe Diva in succession. 

His recent Benalla trial win was all class, and with a proven record here at Randwick, he’s difficult to fault. 

Kovalica is also worth including. He was outstanding second-up in the Epsom two weeks ago, charging the line very late for second behind Rediener. Tends to improve with racing and his record over 1600m is superb. 

2 Units Mr Brightside, 1 Unit Kovalica 

Renaissance Woman had plenty against her first-up over the track and distance, caught wide in transit after being taken back from the awkward barrier. 

Bjorn Baker’s mare has drawn much kinder on this occasion and also has a pair of wins to her name second-up from a spell. 

Her record here at Randwick isn’t great, but she’s run well previously under Josh Parr, who should look to settle closer to the speed in the Angst Stakes. 

1 Unit Renaissance Woman