There are certain sprinters that are secure a slot in The Everest – Ka Ying Rising, Tempted and Joliestar, if she returns from Royal Ascot in the right condition, but the search for the other runners starts with Saturday’s Missile Stakes.
Angel Capital, Napoleonic, Ninja and Gangsta Granny could be among those to show their credentials in the first Group 2 of the season.
“It is a good place to start for Napoleonic because it gives us the right program to go toward a Manikato Stakes and Everest day,” trainer John O’Shea said.
“If he runs well it will give us something to think about, and we have always thought it is a great race for a very good colt. We won it with Schwartz [in 2024].
“He needs that space between his runs to be at his best.”
Chris Waller indicated Angel Capital, an Everest runner last year, is set to resume in the Missile to be art his top for either the Winx Stakes or Memsie Stakes later in the month as he searches for a Group 1 victory.
“He’s probably a little more forward than the others and he could resume as early as next week in the Missile,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central during Friday’s barrier trials.
“My reason for that is that it’s 1200m [at Randwick] and then he could take on the better weight-for-age horses second-up with a run under his belt.”
My Racehorse would love to see their colours in The Everest and Ninja was impressive winning a trial on Friday as was Gangsta Granny.
It is a chance to run over 1200m at Randwick, the Everest course is not lost on any trainer and the ability to attract slotholders’ attention early on.
The contenders need to convince slotholders they will run in the first four to give a return on investment.
There will be three-year-olds led by Golden Slipper winner Guest House and Blue Diamond winner Streisand, but they have to prove themselves.
Bjorn Baker and Darby Racing are open to having both Newmarket winner Caballus and Overpass, back from third in the King Charles Stakes at Royal Ascot, in the Everest.
“Our horses will both be first-up on Everest day. We will run in the Sydney Stakes if we don’t get a slot,” Scott Darby said.
“We understand that the slotholders are probably going to wait a bit longer this season, given there is a dominant horse in Ka Ying Rising, and they want to get the best horse that is in form to run for them.
“Our horses are both at their best first-up, and we saw what Overpass could do last year. We are preparing to do deals for both and having two, I would be disappointed if we do get calls.”
War Machine cost himself the chance to lay down an early marker for the Everest when scratched at Flemington on Saturday.
Stradbroke winner Spicy Martini will head to Sydney for an Everest campaign starting with The Shorts next month, the most traditional path to the $20 million showcase.
There could be a wildcard if Henry Dwyer decides to bring Asfoora, Europe’s champion sprinter in 2024, back to have an Australian farewell before becoming a mum.
He is considering the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, but might be open to offers.
