NEALE DONNELLEY previews the $13 million TAB EVEREST from Royal Randwick this weekend:
SPECIAL CONDITIONS $13,000,000 THE TAB EVEREST (1200m).
FOR all the hype, ALL the money, and all the publicity – good or bad – the TAB Everest has delivered in every way the organisers could have possibly hoped.
On paper with 10 Group 1 winners engaged, it’s the highest rating sprint race assembled anywhere in the world this year.
That’s not surprising given this is the world’s richest race run on turf, offering an almost obscene $13 million in prizemoney.
Rarely do you look at races like this and discover there is not one horse in the field who couldn’t win the race.
Race-sponsors, The TAB, has $6.50 the field headed by the defending champion REDZEL, followed by SHOALS ($7.00), VEGA MAGIC ($7.50) and US NAVY FLAG ($8.50).
As if punters weren’t have any trouble with the race before Sydney decided to throw in the one variable no-one can predict or stop – rain.
Officially a ‘heavy 9’ at 10.30 Friday morning, now we have a serious form influence.
Most runners have a good record on heavy going, particularly REDZEL, LE ROMAIN, SHOALS and the three-year-old GRAFF.
Many others have solid slow track credentials, but to be brutally honest, there is now so much guess-work starting to creep into the equation, one wonders if it’s worthwhile.
The International runner, US NAVY FLAG from world racing power Coolmore in Ireland, has an imposing record in Europe.
He is a twice Group 1-winner in the best races including the July Cup at Newmarket in July, and Ryan Moore, one of the best if not the best rider in the world, has arrived to partner him.
Perhaps the biggest loser (on paper) with the arrival of the rain, is Team Hayes’ brilliant VEGA MAGIC, a horse who has never raced on heavy ground.
He has won two of three on soft ground which gives his supports some encouragement.
Last year VEGA MAGIC finished a most unlucky second to REDZEL when ridden by Craig Williams and this year Hall Of Famer Damien Oliver will take the reins.
The brilliant TRAPEZE ARTIST has two third placings from three starts on heavy ground but is clearly not at his best with cut in the track.
LE ROMAIN has two wins and three second from six heavy track starts so it’s a bonus for him. It just comes down now to whether he’s actually good enough against these superstars.
Brilliant 4YO mare SHOALS is one for one on heavy ground, while last-start Group 1 winner, VIDDORA, has never raced on heavy ground but has two wins on soft ground.
Super race, incredibly tough to sort out as a punter.
Maybe a little something on both REDZEL and VIDDORA.
Good luck!