The Everest – 2022

Track: Soft – Heavy   Weather: Sunny

Sixteen runners (four of which are emergencies) have accepted for the $15,000,000 Everest and there have been no early scratchings.

Nature Strip ($2.00) is looking to become the first horse since Redzel in 2017/2018 to win this race back-to-back and he will have to do it from the wide gate, which suits his style down to the ground.

Last year’s placegetters Eduardo ($9.00) and Masked Crusader ($13.00) occupy third and fifth in the betting whilst the other runner from last year who will be looking to go better is Lost And Running ($6.00) who finished fourth.

There are two three-year-olds in the event this year with the Golden Rose winner Jacquinot ($10.00) and Giga Kick ($23.00), who will both be looking to emulate what Yes Yes Yes did in 2019.

1. Nature Strip (12)

Returned from England in the Shorts and handled the opposition with ease by 1.4 lengths. Meets most of his rivals half a kilo worse off back to weight for age and in the past, he generally has a poor second-up run. Despite this, he has drawn nicely in barrier 12 and Chris Waller is the best at preparing his horses for their Grand Finals.

2. Eduardo (9)

Faded to fourth in the Shorts. Gets his regular rider back here and is drawn wide as well. Should push forward and be thereabouts in the finish.

3. Lost and Running (7)

Placed well first up in the Shorts before winning the Premiere Stakes in a nice fashion. He will be primed for this third up and has drawn nicely to get a dream run.

4. Masked Crusader (10)

Has hit the line well in both the Shorts and the Premiere Stakes. Like Lost And Running, he will enter this primed and ready-to-go third-up.

5. Mazu (11)

He ran okay in the Shorts before a much more improved run in the Premiere Stakes. He will be at his peak third-up over 1200m though the draw isn’t too kind for where they like to run him.

6. Private Eye (3)

Won the Gilgai Stakes first up in impressive fashion. He is going to get the pace required for him to be hitting the line hard and is drawn to get a nice run throughout.

7. Overpass (6)

Was no match against similar opposition last time out. He will appreciate the track improvement but he will need a monumental performance to win here.

8. Ingratiating (4)

Won nicely at Caulfield first-up before heading to the Schillaci Stakes where he placed nicely behind Paulele. This is much harder and would be a place chance at best.

9. Joyful Fortune (1)

Former Hong Kong galloper who debuted in Australia up the Flemington straight in a weaker race, winning it by 4.6 lengths. He has since trialled well but it’s hard to trust his form at this stage.

10. Shades of Rose (8)

She is going for five wins on the trot here. Won the Sheraco Stakes last time out nicely but this is her seventh run this preparation. Can’t have.

11. Jacquinot (2)

Won the Golden Rose with a sweeping run last time out. Drop back to 1200m looks like a nice move but he will need to find two lengths+ to win.

12. Giga Kick (5)

Looking to continue his unbeaten start to his career here in his fifth start. Won the Danehill Stakes nicely up the Flemington Straight, but this is much harder.

13e. Forbidden Love (0)

Unlikely to make an impact if she gets a start.

14e. Apache Chase (0)

Unlikely to make an impact if he gets a start.

15e. Kementari (0)

Unlikely to make an impact if he gets a start.

16e. In The Congo (0)

Unlikely to make an impact if he gets a start.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Nature Strip	1 Nature Strip
6 Private Eye	5 Mazu
3 Lost And Running	12 Giga Kick
4 Masked Crusader	4 Masked Crusader

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12 Giga Kick
2nd	6 Private Eye	0.44 length
3rd	5 Mazu	0.96 length
4th	1 Nature Strip	0.97 length

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 3. Lost And Running, 13e. Forbidden Love, 14e. Apache Chase, 16e. In The Congo.