The 2017 Everest (Australia) Ante-Post Betting Preview

The Everest is a brand new G1 (weight for age) race and the inaugural encounter takes place at Randwick Racecourse (Sydney, Australia) on Saturday October 14th). It will be the richest turf race in the world, with prize-money totaling $10m. The race distance is 1200m and they’ll run on a right-handed track. Our ante-post market is already live and 3 familiar names are already attracting bets…

Caravaggio (USA)

Age: 3 (Foaled February 23rd, 2014)

Sex: Grey Colt

Breeding: Scat Daddy (USA) – Mekko Hokte (USA) (Holy Bull (USA))

Trainer: A P O’Brien

Owner: Mrs John Magnier,Mr M Tabor & Mr D Smith

Aidan O’Brien’s colt has now won all of his first 7 races and easily saw off the challenge from Psychedelic Funk, in the Lacken Stakes at Naas. Harry Angel provided much sterner opposition, in the Commonwealth Cup, but Clive Cox’s inmate couldn’t quite hold Caravaggio off as the winning-post approached. Many believe he’s O’Brien’s best 3-year-old.

Lady Aurelia (USA)

Age: 3 (Foaled January 27th, 2014)

Sex: Bay Filly

Breeding: Scat Daddy (USA) – D’ Wildcat Speed (USA) (Forest Wildcat (USA))

Trainer: Wesley Ward

Owner: Stonestreet Stables/g Bolton/p Leidel

Like Caravaggio, Wesley Ward’s filly was also sired by Scat Daddy and she simply destroyed the field in the 2016 Queen Mary Stakes. She returned to Royal Ascot last month and her starting price of 7/2 ended up looking generous, after she finished 3 lengths ahead of Profitable in the King’s Stand Stakes. A class act.

Limato (IRE)

Age: 5 (Foaled February 8th, 2012)

Sex: Bay Gelding

Breeding: Tagula (IRE) – Come April (Singspiel (IRE))

Trainer: H Candy

Owner: Mr Paul G Jacobs

The 5-year-old is without a victory since last October, when he comfortably won the Prix De La Foret at Chantilly. Limato was slightly hampered, in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, but looked unlikely to reach The Tin Man even if given a completely clear run. He’ll still be a big threat though, if he runs.

Others in contention include Chautauqua, She Will Reign, Spieth, Russian Revolution, English and Toby Edmonds’ Houtzen.

Racing In Australia

The first thoroughbreds arrived in the country, during the latter part of the 18th century. 7 horses (a mixture of colts, mares, fillies and a stallion) arrived on a ship from Cape Town, in South Africa. Bloodstock auctions did not take place, until 1805.

The blood-lines mostly come from Europe, although American horses have been imported, in recent years. The first races took place at venues close to the city of Sydney. The first recorded meeting was held at Hyde Park, in the Autumn of 1810. Other cities soon followed Sydney’s lead and by the mid-part of the nineteenth century, racing was flourishing in Victoria, Queensland, Adelaide and other major conurbations.

There have been some highly skilled Australian jockeys, over the years, including Scobie Beasley, Roy Higgins, Harry White and Nash Rawiller. It was the Australians who first began riding in the crouched style, that is still used today. Female jockeys were not allowed to race professionally, until the mid-1950s, which led to some of the better women riders to enter races under a man’s name and in disguise!

Among the most famous Australian trainers were Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith. Bart Cummings won no less than twelve Melbourne Cups, while Smith won the Sydney Trainer Premiership on thirty occasions. Female trainers also came up against Draconian gender restriction. It wasn’t until 1982 that a woman was given a Number One Trainers’ License. Betty Lane eventually became the pioneer who forced change.

There are many other famous racecourses, in Australia. Ascot Racecourse, in Perth is known as the ‘Grand Old Lady’ of Australian racing. The track is 2300m and inclines, sharply. It is regarded as the ultimate test, for stayers. The Perth Cup is held here and is considered to be the most important race in Western Australia. Recent winners include Guest Wing, Western Jewel and Talent Show.

Bellmont Park Racecourse is also in Perth. The Roma Cup, the Belmont Sprint, the Hyperion Stakes and the Strickland Stakes are all held here. Harness racing has been taking place, since 1910

Sandown Racecourse, in Melbourne, is also considered to be an important course. The biggest races take place in November and include the Zipping Classic, the Sandown Guineas, the Eclipse Stakes and the Sandown Stakes.

The Eagle Farm Racecourse, which is in the city of Brisbane (Queensland), dates back to 1863. No fewer than five group one races are held here, including the Queensland Derby, the Queensland Oaks, the Stradbroke Handicap, the TJ Smith and the Winter Stakes. The Queensland Derby has had many famous winners, including Tulloch, , Kingston Town, Strawberry Road and Rough Habit.

Quality racing can also be found at Clare Valley, Doomben, Flemington, Monee Valley, Rosehill Gardens and many other venues.

Betting With RaceBets

RaceBets is committed to Australian racing and offers betting on more Australian races than any other UK-facing bookmaker. We already have a live ante-post market, for the 2017 Melbourne Cup.