SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 18: Zac Purton riding Ka Ying Rising win Race 7 The TAB Everest during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 18, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Race Information:
Date: Saturday, October 17th (4:15pm AEDT)
Racecourse: Randwick
Race Class: Group 1
Conditions: Slot Holder Race
Surface: Turf
Distance: 1200m
Prizemoney: AUS$20 Million
Brief Overview
The TAB Everest has been the richest turf race in the world since its inaugural running in 2017. The event attracts worldwide attention and international superstars of the equine world, as 12 of the very best sprinters compete for AU$20 million in prizemoney.
The TAB Everest features a unique entry structure that sets it apart from standard Group 1 contests. It comprises 12 "slots," each representing a starting gate. Sold for AU$700,000 each, each slot grants its holder the right to race, lease, contract, share, or sell their entry.
Runner-by-Runner Analysis
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 18: Zac Purton riding Ka Ying Rising win Race 7 The TAB Everest during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 18, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
1. Ka Ying Rising
2020 Bay Gelding
Shamexpress (NZ) - Missy Moo (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Trainer: David Hayes
Jockey: Zac Purton
Slot Holder: Hong Kong Jockey Club
Barrier: 11
Ka Ying Rising needs no introduction. He is the greatest racehorse in the world and has only tasted defeat on two occasions in his illustrious career. He returns to defend his Everest crown off the back of an extraordinary Hong Kong season that yielded seven wins, including four at Group 1 level.
Questions remain over his ability to handle rain-affected ground, but trainer David Hayes has remained adamant that wet conditions will pose no issue for his star sprinter, even asserting that the horse is "10 per cent better" than what he was for last year's victory. If the track remains in the Soft 5–6 range, he looks nearly unbeatable, however, should further rain degrade the surface beyond a Soft 7, he could prove vulnerable to proven wet-track specialists.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Ethan Brown riding Jimmysstar winning race 8, the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 27, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
2. Jimmysstar
2019 Chestnut Gelding
Per Incanto (USA) - Anniesstar (NZ) (Zed (NZ))
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Slot Holder: TAB
Barrier: 8
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding returns for another tilt at Everest glory after finishing third behind Ka Ying Rising and Tempted twelve months ago.
A four-time Group 1 winner, Jimmysstar enters in glowing form following a dominant victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield last start. While Soft ground is well within his comfort zone, he remains untested on a Heavy surface. The race setup looks ideal: a fast tempo set by the front-runners should play directly into the hands of a horse accustomed to settling near the rear before unleashing a devastating late turn of foot.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 08: Mark Zahra riding Giga Kick defeats Michael Dee riding Magic Time in Race 6, the Vrc Champions Sprint during Champions Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 08, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
3. Giga Kick
2019 Chestnut Gelding
Scissor Kick - Rekindled Applause (GB) (Royal Applause (GB))
Trainer: Clayton Douglas
Jockey: Dylan Gibbons
Slot Holder: Coolmore Stud
Barrier: 12
Winner of the 2022 TAB Everest, Giga Kick makes his third appearance in the race, having finished runner-up to Bella Nipotina in 2024. Although his form this preparation has been somewhat underwhelming, he remains exceptionally proficient on rain-affected going. Last year, he claimed his third Group 1 title in the VRC Champions Sprint on a testing Heavy 9 surface.
Drawing barrier 12 poses a significant tactical hurdle. It is difficult to see where he can settle in the run, and on current form, he faces a stern task against the market leaders.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Ben Melham riding Angel Capital winning in race 9, the Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 19, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
4. Angel Capital
2021 Bay or Brown Horse
Harry Angel (IRE) - Bahamas (Teofilo (IRE))
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Ben Melham
Slot Holder: Yulong Investments
Barrier: 2
Dubbed "the enigma himself" by racecaller Matt Hill, Chris Waller’s entire finally broke his Group 1 maiden tag last start in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Angel Capital arrives as one of the rank outsiders, and understandably so. Dropping back from 1400m to 1200m is rarely a winning blueprint, while the son of Harry Angel has historically struggled on wet ground, managing just one career win on cut in the track. Compounding matters, an inside draw risks leaving him trapped in traffic. Others hold much stronger claims.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Josh Parr riding Caballus wins Race 6 Silverdale Farm Eskimo Prince Stakes during "Inglis Millennium Day" - Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on February 10, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
5. Caballus
2020 Bay or Brown Gelding
I Am Invincible - Calming Influence (Commands)
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Tim Clark
Slot Holder: James Harron Bloodstock
Barrier: 10
The outsider of the field, Caballus captured a maiden Group 1 victory in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington earlier this year. He returned this spring with a credible fifth behind Tempted in the Group 2 Premier Stakes—a key lead-up for this contest.
The key query surrounds his effectiveness at weight-for-age level. He would need to improve significantly to reverse the form with Tempted, which appears unlikely on paper.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Zac Lloyd riding Headwall win Race 8 Kia Ora Concorde Stakes during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on September 06, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
6. Headwall
2019 Bay Gelding
Dream Ahead (USA) - Positive Quest (Not A Single Doubt)
Trainer: Matthew Smith
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Slot Holder: Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, Col Madden and Steve McCann
Barrier: 6
A gelding who frequently suffers traffic troubles but never fails to give his all. Two starts back, he was severely held up yet finished just a length behind Tempted in his first run off a 50-week layoff. He was subsequently caught wide in the Group 2 The Shorts, finishing fifth behind Mazu and Joliestar.
What makes Matthew Smith's runner particularly compelling is his outstanding wet-track record: two wins from two attempts on Heavy ground, alongside a win and three placings from four Soft-track outings. From barrier 6, he should enjoy a smooth run in transit. Expect him to feature prominently in exotics and each-way calculations.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 08: Tommy Berry riding Ninja win Race 8 Kia Ora Stud Missile Stakes during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on August 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
7. Ninja
2022 Bay or Brown Gelding
Farnan - Impulsive (So You Think (NZ))
Trainer: Michael Freedman
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Slot Holder: Fairway Thoroughbreds
Barrier: 3
Ninja impressed everyone when he won the Missile Stakes first-up this prep, defeating the likes of Napoleonic and Angel Capital. He then had genuine excuses when he was squeezed out the back in The Shorts and had to travel three/four wide the trip.
Many will be liking Ninja’s chances following an eye-catching trial performance in which he defeated Ka Ying Rising under minimal riding from Tommy Berry. His impressive wet-track credentials give him a distinct advantage over key rivals and he warrants deep respect.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: James McDonald riding Joliestar win Race 9 Yarraman Park Shorts during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on September 20, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
8. Joliestar
2020 Bay Mare
Zoustar - Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock)
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Slot Holder: Chris Waller Racing and Partners
Barrier: 5
Joliestar is Australia’s reigning champion sprinter, which saw her claim the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes and TJ Smith Stakes earlier this year. She then tested her mettle on the global stage, finishing a gallant third at Royal Ascot behind Almeraq and Satono Reve.
On her return to domestic action, she finished second to Mazu in The Shorts despite travelling three wide throughout. The Zoustar mare boasts a strong second-up record, handles rain-affected going, and pairs the lethal combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald. She must be included in all exotic selections.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Chad Schofield riding Tempted win Race 9 Precise Air Premiere Stakes during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
9. Tempted
2022 Chestnut Mare
Street Boss (USA) - Calliope (Exceed And Excel)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Chad Schofield
Slot Holder: Godolphin
Barrier: 1
The Godolphin representative continues her upward trajectory following an unbeaten autumn campaign and a flawless start to her spring prep.
She looms as the primary threat to Ka Ying Rising, having finished within a length and a half of the champion as a three-year-old filly in last year’s race. Now a four-year-old, she returns stronger and more mature. Unbeaten on Soft ground, her only remaining query is how she copes with a Heavy surface.
10. Spicy Martini
2021 Bay Mare
Justify (USA) - Extra Olives (Redoute’s Choice)
Trainer: Toby Edmonds
Jockey: Taylor Marshall
Slot Holder: Inglis
Barrier: 4
Spicy Martini announced herself on the big stage with a stunning victory in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap earlier this year, defeating a high-class field that included Headley Grange, Fangirl, and Private Eye.
The daughter of Justify has developed into a top-flight sprinter, winning six of her 13 starts and amassing over $2.7 million in prizemoney. She proved her Stradbroke success was no fluke with a brave fourth in The Shorts. Possessing proven wet-track form, she is capable of springing another surprise.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 14: Nash Rawiller riding Savvy Hallie win Race 6 TAB Light Fingers Stakes during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on February 14, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
11. Savvy Hallie
2022 Bay Mare
Hellbent - Rose of Savannah (Fastnet Rock)
Trainer: Brad Widdup
Jockey: Zac Lloyd
Slot Holder: Mulbery Racing
Barrier: 7
One of the outsiders of the race and one of the key speed influencers, Savvy Hallie was disappointing first-up this prep before bouncing back second-up to win the Sheraco Stakes over the likes of Gangsta Granny and Lazzura. Her latest outing saw her finish second behind Tempted in the Premier Stakes, but I have to agree with the market that she has an extreme outside chance of winning this race.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Nash Rawiller riding Blue Door win Race 6 Grant Burge Heritage Stakes during Sydney Racing at Rosehill Gardens on September 26, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
12. Blue Door
2023 Bay Filly
Stay Inside - Notting Hill (Pierro)
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Jamie Melham
Slot Holder: Newgate Farm & GPI Racing
Barrier: 9
The sole three-year-old of the field, Blue Door secured her slot following an impressive showing in the Group 3 Heritage Stakes.
She will play a major role in setting the early tempo, but this marks her first test against older horses at elite level. While lightly raced with scope for significant improvement, this represents a steep rise in class.
Writer’s Tips
#9. Tempted
#1. Ka Ying Rising
#7. Ninja
#6. Headwall
With further rainfall forecast, Ka Ying Rising faces a genuine stern test. Whether he can handle extreme wet ground remains the ultimate unknown. Given the price discrepancy, Tempted appeals as the value selection—she is proven on rain-affected tracks and enters in career-best form. Ninja impressed in his recent trial, loves soft conditions, and warrants an each-way investment. Headwall is a proven mudlark who will relish a testing surface and rounds out the top four choices.
