Everest contenders emerge as Ninja secures his place

On Saturday morning, Everest slotholder John Camilleri had hope when it came to the $20 million showcase, by the evening, he had Ninja set to take on Ka Ying Rising in October.

The emerging sprinter has been brilliantly handled by Michael Freedman and seems to have found a home around 1200 and 1400m.

In a year where there is a standout, Ninja made the first play of the new season in the Missile Stakes as a new kid on the block, running the right sort of times.

“Any trainer with a half-decent sprinter has dreams of The Everest this time of year,” Freedman said.

“He’s just matured so much in the past six months and I think the trip to Queensland (earlier in the year) did him the world of good.

“He’s pretty adaptable too. I think the plan will be to keep him around the six and seven furlong mark.

“On what we saw today, it augurs well for him.”

Camilleri owns Ninja with Myracehorse, but is also considering Plantiff should she step up in the spring.

So, while they have been confirmed as yet, Ninja can join Tempted for Godolphin and perhaps Joliestar in the Chris Waller slot as pencilled in to run in the Everest. against Ka Ying Rising, which runs in the Hong Kong Jockey Club slot.

The unbeaten shadow cast from Hong Kong will play an enormous part in the selection of The Everest field this year.

Slotholders know they can’t get the defending champion and many admit that they might running for second, so might look at their own horses.

NINJA is back with a bang and kicks off his spring campaign in style! 🥷

A beautifully timed ride by @TommyBerry21 for @MFreedmanRacing! 👏@aus_turf_club @racing_nsw @MyRacehorseANZ pic.twitter.com/EdGl5JaBrt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 8, 2026

The TAB have locked on to Autumn Glow as their horse given her profile and ability to promote, best from Hong Kong against the best from Australia.

They will have to wait for her return in the Winx Stakes to find out what Waller and owner John Messara decide to pursue in the spring.

“Nothing has changed with her, we want to get through her first-up run and before making any decisions,” Messara said.

Autumn Glow has only raced once at 1200m in her career, but did win a Toy Show Quality at 1100m last year, so the King Charles III Stakes over 1609m might prove too bigger lure for her.

The big studs always have plenty of options with Coolmore having Golden Slipper winner Guest House leading its list.

 Yulong have problem child Angel Capital, who they didn’t pick last year when he finished midfield, and Blue Diamond winner Streisand among others.

Newgate are also likely to look within. They have Beadman as an option as well as a group of three-year-olds.

The three-year-old picture will start to get painted with the Rosebud next week, but no decision will be made until after the Golden Rose at the end of September.

James Harron has proven the smartest slotholder at finding Everest winners and has a starting point with those that race in his emerald green silks.

He will be in competition with Inglis, Max Whitby team and Mulberry to find the best option.

An Everest winner in Giga Kick probably leads their lists, but there will be watches on Headwall and Stradbroke winner Spicy Martini, which return in the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts respectively.

Napoleonic stays under notice after being runner-up in the Missile Stakes along with Jimmysstar, which trialled well during the week, and somewhat forgotten sprinter Briasa, a TJ Smith winner.

Darby Racing have Royal Ascot placegetter Overpass and Newmarket winner Caballus that will return on Everest day for slotholders’ consideration.

ATC/HKJC Ka Ying Rising

Godolphin Tempted

Chris Waller Joliestar

Fairway Thoroughbreds Ninja

TAB Autumn Glow

Coolmore Guest House/Central Europe

Newgate  Beadman or one of their three-year-olds

Yulong Angel Capital, Streisand and others

Mulberry – TBC

Inglis – TBC

Harron –TBC

Max Whitby and co –TBC