A year ago the event was regarded as an inspirational innovation introduced primarily by Racing New South Wales chief executive Peter V’Landys.
With a brilliant combination of promotion and publicity leading up to the $12 million race The Everest achieved its objective of creating widespread excitement, especially amongst those not interested in racing.
A big crowd, including many first timers, turned up at Randwick and watched a thrilling finish.
But 12 months later the stars are not aligning so perfectly.
Considering the second renewal of The Everest is worth $13 million the field, after numerous withdrawals along the way, can hardly be described as exceptional.
Then the brutal interview Alan Jones conducted with Opera House chief executive Louise Herron about whether the barrier draw should be shown on the icon’s sails appalled racing and non-racing people alike.
The “shock jock’s” subsequent apology did little to remedy the situation.
In the end it didn’t matter because the idea of displaying the runners and barrier draw on the sails was a flop.
Even those attending the official Australian Turf Club dinner, across Sydney Harbour from the Opera House, were obviously indifferent and unenthusiastic about the accompanying television coverage.
Worse still for the A.T.C. and The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, is, in all likelihood, going to be run on Saturday on a heavy track and in inclement weather.
On this basis Mr V’Landys will have his work cut out ensuring the aura around the first running of The Everest is maintained through into next year and the years beyond.