<p>The Everest, the world’s richest race on turn, has been a revelation since Racing NSW introduced the 1200m sprint – run at Randwick – to the Spring Racing Carnival program in 2017. What started as something of a novelty in which 12 slot holders select a runner to represent them and they share the spoils of the prize money with the owners, has become a juggernaut, second only to the Melbourne Cup in public and media interest.</p> <p>This year, The Everest not only has attracted Australia’s best sprinters, but also the highest rated sprinter in the world, Hong Kong’s sensational speedster Ka Ying Rising, trained by ex-pat Aussie David Hayes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Everest 2025 Preview and Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Track:</strong> Randwick.</p> <p><strong>Distance/type:</strong> 1200m. Weight-For-Age.</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, 18 October, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Total prize money:</strong> $20,000,000.</p> <p><strong>First prize:</strong> $7,000,000.</p> <p><strong>The Everest – Race and Time:</strong> Race 7 (4.15 pm)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Weather and Track</h3> <p>The Randwick track was rated a Soft 5 on Wednesday. The prediction of fine and warm weather promises to provide a good to firm track.</p> <p>The rail is out 3m. With the prospect of a firm track, expect the bias towards fast horses on the inside to have an advantage. Monitor the racing patterns earlier in the day.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Trainers</h3> <p>In the eight years of The Everest, six trainers have shared the spoils. Chris Waller (Nature Strip and Yes Yes Yes) and Peter Snowden (Redzel x 2) have won it multiple times.&nbsp;</p> <p>Waller can add to his record with three of The Everest top fancies, the mare Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah, and the talent colt, Angel Capital. Ciaron Maher won last year’s The Everest with the champion mare Bella Nipotina. He returns to attempt for a second with two strong chances, Jimmysstar and the filly Tempted.</p> <p>Joe Pride won the 2023 The Everest with Think About It. This year, he will saddle the outsider Mazu.</p> <p>Interestingly, the now Hong Kong-based David Hayes, who has the hot favourite Ka Ying Rising, is battling with his three sons, Ben, Will and JD, who train War Machine in partnership.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Jockeys</h3> <p>Kerrin McEvoy holds the record with three The Everest winners. He won the first two on Redzel, and another on Classique Legend for veteran trainer Les Bridge. McEvoy will ride one of the outsiders, Jedibeel.</p> <p>Craig Williams has won two of the past three The Everests on Bella Nipotina (2024) and Giga Kick (2022). His ability to ride light means he was the first choice for the filly Tempted, who has only 51kg.&nbsp;</p> <p>The only other rider with a past win is James McDonald (Joliestar), who won on Nature Strip in 2021.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Speed Map</h3> <p><strong>Tempo prediction:</strong> fast.</p> <p>The late acceptance of Mazu into this field guarantees a fast pace, and a horse that will be able to match the speed of the favourite, Ka Ying Rising (barrier 7), who is more than apt when racing outside the leader or taking a trail. Overpass is another on-pacer who will be looking for the rail. Expect a hot tempo because Mazu races for the slot owned by Yulong Investments, who own to other horses with top chances, Angel Capital and Magic Time, who both appreciate coming from the back of the field.</p> <p>Chris Waller’s mares, Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah, are drawn to follow the speed, as is War Machine (barrier 4).</p> <p>Briasa, a big strider, can go forward from his wide draw. Tempted should be midfield on the fence, poised for a late charge.</p> <p>The back runners are Jimmysstar and Angel Capital.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Points of Interest</h3> <p>Significant gear changes: Trainer Grahame Begg has elected to add blinkers first time to Magic Time.</p> <p>Tempting fate: Tempted is aiming for some history to be the first 3YO filly to win The Everest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Everest Field and Comments<br /> &nbsp;</h2> <p><strong>1. Ka Ying Rising (NZ) 58.5kg (barrier 7) trainer David Hayes, jockey Zac Purton</strong></p> <p>Superstar from Hong Kong, and rated the world’s best sprinter, winning 14 of his 16 starts. There’s been a little drama after a lacklustre trial, but trainer David Hayes is confident he will have him right on the day.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. Briasa 58.5kg (10), John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Tyler Schiller</strong></p> <p>The big grey was impressive winning the G2 Premiere Stakes over this course and distance, running near record time. Barrier 10 means he will need a good ride from Schiller, but this horse does like galloping room.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3. Overpass 58.5kg (9), Bjorn Baker, Josh Parr</strong></p> <p>Noted front-runner who will make his presence felt. He’s failed in two previous runs in The Everest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4. Jimmysstar (NZ) 58.5kg (11) Ciaron Maher, Ethan Brown</strong></p> <p>Zoomed home for second behind Briasa in the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m, Randwick) at his last start. Possesses a big finish and he’ll relish a likely hot tempo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5. War Machine (NZ) 58.5kg (4), Ben, Will &amp; JD Hayes, Tim Clark</strong></p> <p>Earned his place in The Everest with a strong win in the G2 Gilgai (1200m) at Flemington. Won the G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane in June. Emerging sprinter who is drawn to be right in the finish.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6. Mazu 58.5kg (2), Joe Pride, Jason Collett</strong></p> <p>Set a cracking pace when third behind Briasa and Jimmysstar in the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. Not good enough to win, but he will influence the race with his speed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>7. Jedibeel (NZ) 58.5kg (8) Brad Widdup, Kerrin McEvoy</strong></p> <p>His rider has won three The Everests, but Jedibeel looks a place chance at best. In his favour is a likely firm track.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>8. Angel Capital 58.5kg (3), Chris Waller, Ben Melham</strong></p> <p>It was a shame to see him beaten in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Trainer Chris Waller rates this horse highly and campaigned for him to get a place in The Everest field. Will be running on hard late.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>9. Joliestar 56.5kg (5), Chris Waller, James McDonal</strong>d&nbsp;</p> <p>Newmarket Handicap winner in the autumn. Couldn’t have been more impressive beating Briasa in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 20. She’s been kept fresh. Drawn perfectly and will be strong at the end. Looks the danger.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>10. Lady Shenandoah 56.5kg (6) Chris Waller, Damian Lane</strong></p> <p>Brilliant mare, who is probably as good as stablemate Joliestar. Ignore her fourth in the G1Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley when she ran into trouble. She has won three from four at Randwick, and she loves firm ground. Right in it.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>11. Magic Time 56.5kg (12), Grahame Begg, Michael Dee</strong></p> <p>Two-time Group 1-winner. No luck in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. Barrier 12 will mean she will likely go back early. Maybe not good enough to beat these on firm ground.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>12. Tempted 51kg (1), Ciaron Maher, Craig Williams</strong></p> <p>She comes into this off a game third in the G1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill in fast time. Unbeaten in two runs on this track and she drops 3.5kg. Jockey Craig Williams should save a lot of ground from barrier 1. She can be the first 3YO filly to win The Everest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Emergencies</strong></p> <p><strong>13. Iowna Merc 58.5kg (no barrier), Bjorn Baker<br /> 14. Generosity 58.5kg, Chris Waller<br /> 15. Rothfire 58.5kg, Robert Hickmott<br /> 16. Golden Mile 58.5kg, Joe Pride</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Everest 2025 Racing Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Everest Top Tip&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong>Joliestar</strong></p> <p>A perfect storm greets this high-class mare. Top jockey-trainer combo, perfect barrier draw, suitable fast pace and a firm track. With a query on the hot favourite Ka Ying Rising, happy to make her the best bet.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Everest Dangers</h3> <p><strong>Ka Ying Rising</strong></p> <p>Impossible to knock his Hong Kong record of 14 wins from 16 starts, beating his rivals with speed and tenacity in fast times. His recent Warwick Farm trial was lacklustre, even according to trainer and jockey, who both expect him to bounce back.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tempted</strong></p> <p>In rare air as a 3YO filly against the best sprinters in the world. Barrier 1 is perfect for her to settle midfield on the fence chasing a fast tempo. She’s got the talent and she’s got the right jockey.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Lady Shenandoah</strong></p> <p>Stablemate of Joliestar and rated as good by the stable. Ignore her Manikato Stakes run when the track and the race shape didn’t suit her. Loves Randwick and she has a lethal turn of foot.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jimmysstar</strong></p> <p>Terrific in the Premiere Stakes over this course and distance when he hit the line like a train. Known for his lethal finish. A likely hot tempo will suit his late charge.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Everest Roughies</h3> <p><strong>Angel Capital</strong></p> <p>Big strider who has loads of talent. Usually tardy early, but he will be running on hard. Don’t underrate him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>War Machine</strong></p> <p>Emerging sprinter who won the Stradbroke and was brilliant winning first-up at Flemington. Drawn well to be able to strike at them late.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Everest Same Race Multi (Pick a Combination)</h3> <p><strong>Joliestar &amp; Ka Ying Rising</strong> – top three</p> <p><strong>Tempted &amp; Jimmysstar</strong> – top four</p> <p><strong>Lady Shenandoah</strong> – top six</p> <p><strong>War Machine &amp; Angel Capital</strong> – top seven</p>