The Everest 2024 free preview & betting strategy | October 19

2. Giga Kick (3)

5yo Gelding | T: Clayton Douglas | J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg)

The 2022 Everest winner Giga Kick should be primed for a third-up peak after a lengthy break due to injury. The gelding by Scissor Kick was only moderate through the line in a slowly run edition of the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at this course and distance on October 5 and was beaten handsomely by the likes of Mazu and Bella Nipotina. He gets every chance for redemption from barrier three and Mark Zahra in the saddle, however, Giga Kick simply hasn’t shown enough in his two prior performances to suggest he a major player in this year’s Everest.

3. Private Eye (10)

7yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Jay Ford (58.5kg)

The Joseph Pride-trained Private Eye just continues to be plagued by bad barriers in these big races. The seven-year-old is flying into this year’s Everest and was one of the best from the beaten brigade behind I Am Me in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 21 after racing wide without cover throughout. Jay Ford will have no choice but to drag back from barrier 10 to ensure that doesn’t happen again, but if the breaks do fall his way, watch for Prviate Eye to be flashing home down the centre of the course at juicy odds with horse betting sites.

4. Bella Nipotina (12)

7yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Craig Williams (56.5kg)

Is there a more consistent mare in the nation than Bella Nipotina? The first of three Ciaron Maher-trained gallopers continues to show up in these big weight-for-age features, including a runner-up effort in this year’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) before claiming multiple Group 1’s in Queensland through the winter months. She never runs a bad race, and although barrier 12 is the major knock against her chances, Bella Nipotina must be considered a winning hope in the 2024 Everest.

5. I Am Me (1)

6yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg)
I Am Me hasn’t put a foot wrong winning both the traditional lead-ups heading into the Everest. She had everything in her favour on both occasions, however, stalking her rivals from barrier two to claim the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) and The Shorts in back-to-back starts. She gets map favours once again from barrier one this time around, but with this field possessing much more depth, and the 1200m a query amongst most pundits, I Am Me should be labelled a top five chance at best.

7. Sunshine In Paris (8)

5yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Tommy Berry (56.5kg)

Is Sunshine In Paris the forgotten horse in this year’s Everest? The daughter of Invader couldn’t have been more impressive dispatching her rivals in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 14, with the immediate plans to head here with a month between runs. She’s dynamic, versatile, and handles all conditions. If Tommy Berry can slot in from barrier eight, Sunshine In Paris bobbing up in the finish wouldn’t come as any shock.

9. Growing Empire (7)

3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Kerrin McEvoy (53kg)

Growing Empire is the first of four very intriguing three-year-olds engaged in the 2024 Everest. The argument can be made the son of Zoustar should be undefeated heading into this, only being narrowly defeated twice in his six-start career, including his latest effort in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 27 when getting nosed out by Southport Tycoon. Kerrin McEvoy knows a thing or two about winning an Everest, boasting three wins across the seven editions, and provided he can get across from gate seven, he could easily be adding a fourth to his trophy cabinet.

10. Traffic Warden (2)

3yo Colt | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (53kg)

Traffic Warden brings a very similar profile into this as the 2019 Everest winner Yes Yes Yes. They both finished runner-up in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) before dropping back in trip, the major difference being Traffic Warden claimed the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) the start prior. Jamie Kah has never missed the frame when being legged aboard the progressive three-year-old, and with barrier two allowing her to land in the ideal stalking position throughout, punters can expect Traffic Warden to be fighting out the finish at a good price with horse racing bookmakers.

11. Storm Boy (5)

3yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Brenton Avdulla (53kg)

Storm Boy is in a very similar position to Traffic Warden, both coming through the traditional three-year-old form-lines. The Justify colt was only beaten a combined two lengths across those performances and didn’t shirk the task leading out at genuine clip in the Run To The Rose and Golden Rose respectively. He should get a picnic up on speed with a lack of temp engaged in this year’s Everest, however, he does have a nasty habit of missing the start, and if he does that here, it could put the end to his winning chances.

12. Lady Of Camelot (11)

3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Rachel King (51kg)

Lady Of Camelot is the rank outsider, and you’d have to say for good reason. The Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) just hasn’t come up this preparation, and while you can make some minor excuses for her poor performances, it’s hard to justify having her in-and-around your numbers. Her best chance is to attempt leading and throw a spanner into the works on the speed map, however, with the likely instructions to drag back from stall 11, Lady Of Camelot will have a hard time rounding up this lot.

13. Overpass (E1) (TBC)

6yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: TBC (58.5kg)

If there was a scratching leading into the Everest, slot holders should be more than happy to take on Overpass. The son of Vancouver has been trialling like a bomb heading into his first-up assignment and boasts a formidable fresh record of seven starts for three wins and three more minor placings. He would be another obvious pacemaker in this field, and if he were to get into this, Overpass would give a bold sight.

14. Think About It (E2) (TBC)

6yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: TBC (58.5kg)

It’s quite remarkable we don’t have last year’s Everest winner in the final field of 12. Regardless, if the Joseph Pride-trained gelding did get a late call up, he wouldn’t be out of place amongst a field like this. He was terrific through the line from an unwinnable position in the Premiere Stakes a fortnight ago, and if he can bounce of that second-up into the campaign, Think About It would have claims if he’s a late inclusion.

15. Southport Tycoon (E3) (TBC)

4yo Horse | T: Ciaron Maher | J: TBC (58.5kg)

If I Wish I Win is considered a genuine chance, Southport Tycoon would logically come into calculations provided he gains a start. The multiple Group 1 winner was sensational in the Manikato, closing off with the fastest closing splits of the entire meeting at Moonee Valley on September 27. If he doesn’t get a spot in here, watch out for him in the $2 million Sydney Stakes earlier on the Randwick program.

16. Mazu (E4) (TBC)

6yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: (TBC) (58.5kg)

Mazu would be the least likely to line up of the fourth emergencies, especially if the rain doesn’t come on the day. He’s been better on top of the ground of late, however, his best form is still on rain-affected going. Could he figure in a race like this if he gets a start? Unlikely.