By Scott Bailey
This Saturday, Sydney will once again become the epicentre of the global sprinting stage when The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, thunders down the famous Sydney straight in front of a sold-out Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Worth a staggering $20 million, the 1200-metre showdown has grown from a bold Racing NSW concept in 2017 into one of the most coveted and fiercely contested prizes in the sport.
Unlike traditional Group 1 events, The Everest is built around a revolutionary slot system. Twelve commercial slots – each purchased for around A$700,000 – are held by racing powerhouses, media groups, breeders, and private investors. Each slot holder is free to enter their own horse, lease the space to another connection, or strike a revenue-sharing agreement, meaning the race is shaped as much by boardroom negotiations as it is by barrier trials. This dynamic has transformed the weeks leading up to the race into a high-stakes marketplace, with deals often sealed just days before the field is finalised.
This year’s edition has been defined by storylines as rich as the purse itself. Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising has captured headlines as he prepares to take on Australia’s best on foreign soil. The five-year-old gelding arrives with a near-flawless record and blistering Group 1 form, setting up a tantalising trans-Pacific clash that has racing fans talking. His presence elevates the race beyond domestic bragging rights and it is now a genuine Australia versus Hong Kong spectacle.
Meanwhile, Australia’s home-grown talent is far from intimidated. T J Smith Stakes hero Briasa looms as the local benchmark, his explosive finish tailor-made for Randwick’s testing rise as we saw last start in The Premier Stakes. Overpass, renowned for his early speed and ability to control the tempo, shapes as the likely leader. And seasoned campaigners like Mazu, Magic Time, and Joliestar bring proven Group 1 credentials and the turn of foot needed to swoop late.
The lead-up has also showcased the traditional Everest launch pads being the Concorde Stakes, The Shorts, and Premiere Stakes — where contenders sharpened their fitness and stamped their authority. Each race has added intrigue, reshuffled markets, and deepened the discussions for Saturday’s decider.
There was big drama just last Sunday when rumours were running rampant on social media of a possible scratching, that being the short priced favourite Ka Ying Rising sending bookmakers into a spin with his price getting out to as much as $2.30 from his original $1.55 quote. Betting was suspended but after confirmation from his trainer that it was “Utter Rubbish” his price was adjusted and currently sits as the $1.75 favourite.
At its core, though, The Everest remains simple: the fastest sprinters in Australia, a deep field of storylines, and a race now everyone wants to be a part of. It is a race where tactics, tempo, and timing must all align — and where reputations, careers, and millions of dollars hang on just over one minute of 1200m greatness and entertainment.
The Everest – Runner-by-Runner
- Ka Ying Rising (NZ) – David Hayes / Zac Purton (7)
Why it can win: Hong Kong’s sprinting powerhouse with an extraordinary record (13 wins at 1200m) and recent Hong Kong Horse of The Year. Runs slick time, makes his own luck on-speed, and Purton is ice-cold under pressure.
Why it can’t: New environment and race-day rhythm; first Australian G1 in a white-hot 1200m cauldron. If the rail isn’t the place to be or he’s taken on early, the last 100m becomes a test. He didn’t leave a huge impression after his lead up trial but sometimes horses are different on race day.
- Briasa – Hawkes Team / Tyler Schiller (10)
Why it can win: T J Smith winner at Randwick and proven elite talent over this course and trip. Tactical speed to park just behind the tempo and a sharp 400–200m burst. Impressive winner last start and looks a top three player. Can see him following Ka Ying Rising everywhere he goes.
Why it can’t: Peaks have come off genuine set-up runs. If the rail is hot and leaders don’t stop, his late kick might only grab minors. He is best kept to a fast, clean 1200m.
- Overpass – Bjorn Baker / Josh Parr (9)
Why it can win: One of the race’s likely early leaders. When he rolls to the front and finds a rhythm, he takes catching (Winterbottom winner). Handles pressure better than most.
Why it can’t: If two or three kick up underneath and he’s forced to over-rev, he can be vulnerable late and stagger over the last 200m.
- Jimmysstar (NZ) – Ciaron Maher / Ethan Brown (11)
Why it can win: G1 All Aged winner at 1400m with plenty of scope; he can sit off a mad Everest speed and thunder late but he is vulnerable to being caught wide from that draw. Versatile across good/soft and thrives second/third-up. Caught the eye coming from well back in slick sectionals last start.
Why it can’t: Pure 1200m drag races can expose those needing a stride to wind up. If the track is leaderish, he might be launching when the bird has flown.
- War Machine (NZ) – Ben, Will & JD Hayes / Tim Clark (4)
Why it can win: The Stradbroke hero with elite 1400m form dropping to a brutal 1200m—perfect if they go helter-skelter. Proven in big fields; strong through the line.
Why it can’t: Best work is often late; needs the pace to collapse and clear air. Any mid-race slackening or a fence-favoured pattern dulls his edge.
- Mazu – Joseph Pride / Jason Collett (2)
Why it can win: Seasoned Everest campaigner with genuine 1200m class. Can absorb pressure near the speed and still box on. If heavy rain comes and he gets a soft surface which is highly unlikely based on forecasts his odds will drop significantly.
Why it can’t: Doesn’t always find the killer punch at the very top end these days. Needs a map advantage (soft lead or gun trail) to hold off the newer players in this race.
- Jedibeel (NZ) – Brad Widdup / Kerrin McEvoy (8)
Why it can win: Honest, high-rating sprinter who keeps turning up. If they break up late, his last 100m is often his best and McEvoy knows this race better than most winning it three times.
Why it can’t: Needs everything to fall into place. Against several superior last-section animals on ratings. He is outclassed here and looks to be making up the numbers based on his 150-1 odds.
- Angel Capital – Chris Waller / Ben Melham (3)
Why it can win: Progressive 4yo with a serious turn of foot. Melham knows the horse well and could be a top four filler at good odds.
Why it can’t: Lightly exposed at top level Group 1 1200m pressure. If he’s cluttered midfield when they let go, he could be outsprinted. This is a big test for him.
- Joliestar – Chris Waller / James McDonald (5)
Why it can win: Newmarket winner. Genuine Group 1 mare with a lethal 300m burst. Draw + J-Mac + stalking run is a recipe we’ve seen land big ones here before. She’s quick and has that little bit of extra stamina than some of the others. Two Everest winners have won from this barrier (5).
Why it can’t: If the fence is quick and favours the leading pack, she may be giving too much of a head start. Needs clear traffic to deploy her terrific turn of foot.
- Lady Shenandoah – Chris Waller / Damian Lane (6)
Why it can win: Classy filly-to-mare progression with consecutive G1 wins at 1400m; handles Randwick and thrives under tempo. Lane is a big money race rider.
Why it can’t: Pure 1200m top-end speed may just be outside her absolute sweet spot against elite sprinters. Needs the race to extend into a stamina test late. If not this year she is definitely one mare to keep following.
- Magic Time – Grahame Begg / Michael Dee (12)
Why it can win: Proven Group 1 class at 1200–1400m; adaptable to tempo and track pattern; can sit handy and quicken. Blinkers have sharpened her before.
Why it can’t: Meets several with higher ceiling at the trip. If she’s pressured early from an awkward draw, her finishing punch may level out.
- Tempted – Ciaron Maher / Craig Williams (1)
Why it can win: High-class 3yo sprint filly with genuine Group wins; weight-for-age allowance is a major lever in The Everest and Williams who has won this race twice will carry 51kgs. If she gets the right back to follow, she can fly late and be dangerous.
Why it can’t: Depth and brutality of this race can find out even top 3yos. Needs everything to go right—gate, tow, and a clean galloping room the last 200m. The last 3yo to win was Giga Kick and he was a gelding. A filly has never won this race with Bella Nipotina (2024) being the only mare to win it.
- Iowna Merc – Bjorn Baker (EMERGENCY 1)
- Generosity – Chris Waller (EMERGENCY 2)
- Rothfire – Robert Heathcote (EMERGENCY 3)
- Golden Mile – Joseph Pride (EMERGENCY 4)
Speed Map
- Early speed: Overpass rolls forward; Mazu handy; Ka Ying Rising right there.
- Stalkers: Briasa, Joliestar, Magic Time, Lady Shenandoah, Angel Capital.
- Back Markers: War Machine, Jimmysstar, Jedibeel, Tempted.
Verdict
- Top pick: Ka Ying Rising – world-class sprinter with on-speed authority. He will jump and put himself in the leading two. If he gets a breather and turns with Purton holding him together, he could break a track record at his best.
- Main dangers: Briasa (peak Randwick 1200m & was huge last start), Joliestar (boom finish).
Best blowout: Tempted – if they overdo it up front and set it up for a backmarker you want to be on the runner carrying 51kgs and Craig Williams who is in blistering form as a rider this spring.
