Sydney’s Royal Randwick hosts the world’s richest race on turf on Saturday, 15 October. History will be made as twelve of the fastest horses compete for A$15 million in prizemoney.
Nature Strip wins the 2021 TAB Everest
The TAB Everest has made headlines both in Australia and Internationally. The world’s richest race on turf sees twelve of the very best sprinters compete for over $15 million in prizemoney.
Sydney’s Royal Randwick hosts the race day as one of Australia’s most prestigious racing venues. Runners for the Everest are allocated using a unique concept developed by Racing NSW, whereby 12 ‘slots’ are available for sale, which then allows the slot holder to negotiate with owners, pick their own horse and agree on a prize money split to then have that horse run in the race over 1200m.
Former South African jockey Glyn Schofield rides Ingratiating for James Cummings in the Godolphin silks.
Trainer James Cummings believes Ingratiating’s racing pattern of closing with a late rush will be suited by the frenetic tempo of The Everest.
“He gets a huge test this weekend, there’s no doubt he’s got an enormous mountain to climb,” Cummings said.
“But he’s one of the horses who should be able to capitalise on the pattern and be storming home in the race. He’s going to be an off-speed horse in a race where there’s going to be plenty of pace up front. He copes with his racing very well and has that glint in his eye at the moment, so it’s no surprise to see from us that he’s back in the best form of his life.”
Godolphin has come closest to winning The Everest with minor placegetters Osborne Bulls (2018), Trekking (2019) and Bivouac (2020).
“We have had some very good competitors in the past but Godolphin is yet to win the race,” Cummings said.
“We’d dearly love to win, but it doesn’t get any easier every year, and a very difficult year presents this year with the world champion sprinter in Nature Strip.
Nature Strip has drawn the widest barrier for this year’s TAB Everest, as the champion sprinter looks to defend his crown.
The eight-year-old gelding took out the 2021 edition of the race in dominant fashion and is the overwhelming favourite to go back-to-back for Chris Waller, but will have to overcome barrier 12 to take out the $15 million feature.
The wide draw for the eight-time Group 1 winner hasn’t impacted his price in the market, with Nature Strip still rated a $1.90 chance with TAB.
Joyful Fortune has drawn the inside barrier for Saturday’s race at Royal Randwick, while three-year-old Jacquinot will jump from the second gate.
Group 1 winner Private Eye will jump from barrier three, while the veteran sprinter Eduardo, who has beaten the favourite on multiple occasions, will come from barrier nine for Joseph Pride.
Lost And Running, who many believe is the main danger to Nature Strip, has drawn barrier seven.
The barrier draw was announced on The Jackson yacht around Sydney harbour on Tuesday night, after the actual draw itself was done earlier in the day.
