Paul Joice analyses The Everest meeting

It was an amazing day at Randwick for the inaugural running of The Everest and I've analysed the entire 10-race card to help you find a stack of future winners.

Race 1 - Tab Highway Consolation Benchmark 80 Handicap (1400m)

1st - Don't Give A Damn ($1.75 fav)
2nd - Schedule ($21) - 2.3 lens
3rd - Super Star Bob ($15) - 2.5 lens
Then Followed: Zamex ($16), Mercurial Lad ($21), Madame De Ban ($41), Last Try Wins ($31), Appoint Percy ($61), Alliterate ($21), My Tagoson ($9), Cascata Rossa ($10), Rock On Zariz ($151), Melberra Star ($67), Explosive Scene ($201)

Analysis: Gate 14 of 14 isn't a concern when you're the best horse in the race and you possess tactical speed. Kerrin McEvoy allowed this exciting son of Bon Hoffa to slide across the race of the field, taking control approaching the 800m mark. It was all over from that point, Don't Give A Damn accelerated topping the rise and coasted home. Schedule made the most of an inside gate. Zamex struck some trouble but nothing too severe whilst My Tagoson also struck some traffic issues and should have finished closer. But all honours with the winner – he's simply much better than them.

Money Trail: Black odds were posted when markets went up on Wednesday but by Saturday morning it was all red about Don't Give A Damn . In the final 30 minutes of betting he moved from $1.70 out $1.80 then back into $1.75.

Blackbooker: You will find plenty of winners coming through this race but I will stick with the winner Don't Give A Damn . He's stakes class and coming out of the Danny Williams stable will be well placed going forward.

Race 2 - Nielsen Sports Victory Vein Open (1000m)

1st - Legend Of Condor ($4.80)
2nd - Spin ($4.6 fav) - 0.2 lens
3rd - Stunts ($21) - 1.7 lens
Then Followed: Santos ($5.5), Rebukes ($9), The Enzo ($10), Acquire ($10), Munich ($6), Cortesta ($31), Cyclonite ($151)

Analysis: Legend Of Condor bounced out quickly and found the front. Surprisingly didn't cop too much pressure for a 1000m race and managed to find enough in the straight. Runner-up Spin chased hard along the fence but had his chance. Stunts was the eye-catcher. Tightened at the start, last on the turn and switched widest, he rattled home. A final 600m of 32.91 secs is high-flying!

Money Trail: Legend Of Condor was a popular result for punters. Backed into $4.40 from an opening quote of $4.80 before drifting back again to jump as the $4.80 second elect. Runner-up Spin was $4.40 out to $4.60 so started as a marginal favourite.

Blackbooker: Stunts is the one to follow. Huge debut effort and likely to improve plenty off that.

Race 3 - Daily Telegraph Reginald Allen (LR) (1400m)

1st - Torvill ($10)
2nd - Yulong Xingsheng ($13) - 0.5 lens
3rd - Workdrinks ($4.6 =fav) - 0.7 lens
Then Followed: Regimen ($5), Touch Of Mink ($31), Memento ($8.5), Faith In Hand ($8.5), Sweet Deal ($4.6 =fav), Aonair ($10), Highway ($201)

Analysis: Strange kind of race. They rushed forward early but then slowed-up approaching the turn. Torvill was seventh on the rails but was pulling from the 600m. Jason Collett saved ground, rode for luck and got across heels in time to gun down the tiring leaders. The winner clocked the fastest final 600m/200m splits at 34.36/11.36 so hard to find any excuses for the beaten brigade.

Money Trail: The winner Torvill was backed from $16 into $10 after hitting a high point of $18. Someone found her! Workdrinks and Sweet Deal were well supported equal favourites at $4.60 whilst opening favourite Regimen was the big drifter $3.60 out to $5.

Blackbooker: Touch Of Mink is still a maiden. Slow away here and last on the turn, she rattled home once being hooked to the outside in the straight. She can win an easier race.

Race 4 - Tab Anniversary Highway Benchmark 80 Handicap (1400m)

1st - After All That ($11)
2nd - Suncraze ($2.70 =fav) - 0.1 lens
3rd - Bring A Secret ($21) - 1.4 lens
Then Followed: Le Cavalier ($71), Delightful Feeling ($17), Darts Away ($41), Cogliere ($31), Galaxy Warrior ($21), Exitozo ($41), Puzzling Wonder ($26), Pumpkin Pie ($2.70 =fav), Rosaruby ($151), Not For Export ($61), Gentleman Max ($101)

Analysis: Midway through this race the three top hopes were midfield in a line. After All That on the rails for veteran country hoop Robert Thompson, Hugh Bowman one off the fence aboard Pumpkin Pie and Corey Brown three wide on Suncraze . Thompson rode for luck and got a dream split along the inside.

Money Trail: Punters only wanted two horses. Pumpkin Pie was the biggest go firming from $3.20 into $2.70 whilst Suncraze held solid, starting equal favourite at $2.70 after opening as low as $2.50. The winner After All That drifted from $7.50 out to $11. Brown played it safe, hooking six deep on the turn whilst Bowman remained where he was – but nothing opened-up! The rest as they say – is history. $71 pop Le Cavalier roared down the outside from a clear last to snare fourth and was the only runner in the race to break 34 secs for the final 600m. To my eye, that would suggest the track was racing fairly inside to out.

My Tip: Tough to watch the replay after betting-up on Pumpkin Pie . Zero luck.

Blackbooker: I backed Pumpkin Pie and he struck more traffic than racegoers turning into Alison Road 15 minutes prior to the first. I'll have to give him another go.

Race 5 - The Star Mile Benchmark 95 Handicap (1600m)

1st - Invincibella ($2.70 fav)
2nd - Lubiton ($6) - 1.0 lens
3rd - Harper's Choice ($8.5) - 1.3 lens
Then Followed: Souchez ($10), Dark Eyes ($31), Pygmy ($31), Oklahoma Girl ($4.8), Centre Pivot ($31), Hangin' With Willy ($101), Jaminzah ($9)

Analysis: A perfect 10 from Tim Clark aboard Invincibella . There wasn't much pressure on paper so settling near the speed was always going to prove advantageous. Clark landed fourth in the one-one and was always going to win from the top of the straight. Home in 33.89 and an equal quickest final furlong of 11.48 indicating her dominance. Souchez fared best of the backmarkers. He got home in 33.56 (quickest of race) and 11.48. Centre Pivot pulled-up with a hoof problem whilst Oklahoma Girl was found to be sore.

Money Trail: The money for Invincibella has flowed freely in the 48 hours prior to the race. In the final 30 minutes she finally eased from $2.30 out to $2.70. Stablemate Oklahoma Girl was the one they wanted late – firming from $6 into $4.80.

Blackbooker: Souchez was on the seven-day back-up and once again flashed home. There is a race for him but his racing pattern means it needs to be the perfect scenario. Keen an eye out at Flemington for a race with a capacity field.

Race 6 - Heineken 3 St Leger (2600m)

1st - Big Duke ($2.20 fav)
2nd - Auvray ($13) - 0.8 lens
3rd - Cismontane ($31) - 3.6 lens
Then Followed: Destiny's Kiss ($51), Libran ($6), Havana Cooler ($81), Chocante ($7.5), Doukhan ($101), Who Shot Thebarman ($6), Foundation ($13), Zero To Ten ($201)

Analysis: This was a genuine staying test. The script couldn't have been written any better for favourite Big Duke . Enjoyed the gun run then got the split at the top of the straight without going around a horse. The same couldn't be said for Auvray fans. Kerrin McEvoy was improving quickly along the fence approaching the 600m but lost at least two lengths when leader Zero To Ten dropped back in front of him. Recovered well (fastest final splits 34.78/11.72) to give Big Duke a minor scare late. Libran found trouble on the turn with Hugh Bowman forced to check and swing very deep. Should have finished a bit closer.

Money Trail: Only two runners firmed in the final 30 minutes of betting. Big Duke carried most of the cash – firming from $2.50 to start the $2.20 favourite. Roughie Cismontane was specked from $41 into $31 and managed to sneak third. The big drifter was Auvray - $9 out to $14 - but no one told the horse.

My Tip: Auvray was unlucky not to win. He's flying and I'll be sticking with him.

Blackbooker: Auvray . He's going too well not to keep following.

Race 7 - Sydney Stakes (LR) (1200m)

1st - In Her Time ($2.35 fav)
2nd - Impending ($7.5) - 0.2 lens
3rd - Ball Of Muscle ($9) - 1.2 lens
Then Followed: The Monstar ($101), Washington Heights ($8), Kaepernick ($16), Jungle Edge ($67), Japonisme ($51), Bonny O'Reilly ($21), Takedown ($9), Kuro ($41), The Virginian ($67), Derryn ($21), Quatronic ($67)

Analysis: It all went to plan for those that backed In Her Time . Corey Brown found the right spot, the split came at the turn and the tough five-year-old mare did the rest. The run of Impending was huge! Restrained from the wide gate, Hugh Bowman saved ground and weaved clear in the straight before powering-up late. Final splits of 32.87/11.25 are electric. Washington Heights was badly galloped on yet still chased gamely whilst Kaepernick had nowhere to go at the top of the straight – he closed off well.

Money Trail: Punters hammered In Her Time in the 48 hours prior to this race and they didn't let up. Trimmed up from $2.40 into $2.35 in the final 30 minutes of betting. Runner-up Impending was backed from $9.50 into $7.50 with third placegetter Ball Of Muscle also supported from $11 into $9.50 – a popular trifecta!

My Tip: In Her Time had the form to be a real threat in The Everest so she was clearly the one to beat in the consolation.

Blackbooker: Impending looks to have come back better than ever.

Race 8 - The Everest (1200m)

1st - Redzel ($8.5)
2nd - Vega Magic ($4.80 fav) - 0.8 lens
3rd - Brave Smash ($19) - 1.0 lens
Then Followed: Chautauqua ($6), Tulip ($51), English ($9), Houtzen ($17), Clearly Innocent ($13), Deploy ($16), Redkirk Warrior ($11), She Will Reign ($5.5), Fell Swoop ($81)

Analysis: The race mapped as expected. Speedy Houtzen to lead off the inside gate with Redzel eyeballing her. Vega Magic was always the query from a wide gate but when Craig Williams opted to go back and look for cover – the high-pressure scenario was off the table. Kerrin McEvoy is too good at rating on-pace runners and he once again got it spot on. Redzel's ability to absorb pressure then sprint home in fast sectionals 33.97/11.88 is why he's won 10 of 20 starts – including his past five. Vega Magic was terrific. Widest on the turn he chased hard (33.52/11.61). Brave Smash was a bit keen wearing blinkers first time and found a bit of trouble at the top of the straight. Big run. Chautauqua produced a similar effort to what we've seen this campaign. Couldn't keep in touch before roaring home (32.98/11.40). His racing pattern makes it tough, especially on slick tracks. She Will Reign was slightly slow to jump and was galloped on during the race.

Money Trail: Vega Magic was the punters elect – firming more than any other runner in the final three days of betting and continuing to shorten within the final 30 minutes of betting from $5 into $4.80 favourite. Punters expected the blinkers to do the trick with Brave Smash – backed from $31 into $19 late. Redzel had been solid right through betting but surprisingly eased late from $7 out to $8.50.

My Tip: It doesn't get any better than loading-up on the first ever winner of The Everest. Redzel – you're a ripper!

Blackbooker: Vega Magic will no doubt be the most popular blackbooker out of this race, marginally ahead of Chautauqua . But I'm going stick with Redzel in any sprint up to 1200m. He's my kind of horse.

Race 9 - Aqualand Craven Plate (G3) (2000m)

1st - Classic Uniform ($21)
2nd - Happy Clapper ($1.5 fav) - 0.2 lens
3rd - McCreery ($11) - 1.5 lens
Then Followed: Star Exhibit ($6.5), Mackintosh ($12), Prince Cheri ($151), Embley ($21), He's Our Rokkii ($26), Shalmaneser ($101), Willy White Socks ($151)

Classic Uniform keeps fighting and holds off Happy Clapper to take out the G3 Craven Plate at #Randwick for @garymooreracing. pic.twitter.com/5R9L0hDkrY

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 14, 2017

Analysis: Not sure what to make of the ride on Happy Clapper . Stewards have opened an inquiry so will leave it up to them. On face value it appeared the Epsom winner wanted to pull, so Blake Shinn spent most of the race trying to switch him right off, drifting back further than expected. He then let loose approaching the 600m but was flushed five wide. To go down by a long head was heartbreaking for punters that took the tomato sauce odds. Happy Clapper's final splits (33.37/11.39) were clearly the quickest of the race. But all honours with the winner Classic Uniform . Backed-up his Hill Stakes win and makes his own luck out in front.

Money Trail: Punters moved 'all-in' on Happy Clapper . Firmed from $1.60 into $1.50 within the final 30 minutes of betting. Nothing was backed to beat him.

Blackbooker: Prince Cheri was sent out $151 yet finished less than two lengths from the winner. John O'Shea has him going well and should be able to find an easier assignment.

Race 10 - Syd. Harbour Exclusive (Bm80)Benchmark 80 Handicap (1000m)

1st - Grand Condor ($101)
2nd - Pick Me Up ($6.5) - 0.2 lens
3rd - Arise Augustus ($67) - 0.3 lens
Then Followed: Latin Boy ($8.5), Realise Potential ($13), Rebel Miss ($17), Accepted ($17), Fox Tales ($11), Gadfly ($31), Ozark ($4.6 fav), Fifteen Sunflowers ($16), Roguish ($17), Balancing Act ($31)

Analysis: Two horses losing their jockeys at the start then only two lengths covering the first nine across the line with a $101 winner – this is the ultimate final leg of a quaddie. It was an action-packed 1000m scamper with Grand Condor and Fox Tales getting it too easily up front. Hard luck stories everywhere in behind. Pick Me Up, Ozark, Gadfly and Accepted all worthy of mention.

Money Trail: Pick Me Up almost landed a decent plonk – firming from $10 into $6.50. Ozark a solid favourite at $4.60 whilst the in-form Latin Boy wobbled from $5.50 out to $8.50. Only a lucky few appeared to have backed the winner Grand Condor – he was $41 out to $101.

My Tip: Machinegun Jubs was declared a non-starter after dislodging Hugh Bowman at the start. All bets were refunded.
Blackbooker: Accepted was having his first run since coming from Hong Kong and under 63kg turned in a top effort. Can see him sneaking into an Open Handicap or lesser grade Stakes sprint during the carnival.