2020 The Everest Field Takes Shape: Libertini In, One Slot Left for Waller

With James Harron Bloodstock securing brilliant Group 2 Premiere Stakes winner Libertini to represent them in the world’s richest turf race there is only one slot left in The Everest 2020 field for Saturday week at Royal Randwick.

Libertini Horse Form (Photo: Steve Hart) | Races.com.au

Libertini has filled the penultimate slot in the 2020 The Everest field. Photo: Steve Hart.

Anthony Cummings’ four-year-old I Am Invincible mare put on an outstanding speed display first-up on October 3 to flash home ahead of a field of better fancied The Everest horses in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m).

She defeated runner-up Classique Legend by two lengths in the event that also saw Chris Waller’s hot favourite Nature Strip flop second-up when fourth.

Nature Strip subsequently drifted in all-in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on the $15 million The Everest (1200m) and is now out to $7 for the October 17 showdown.

Classique Legend meanwhile is the new $4.60 top fancy to turn the tables on Cummings ’mare in the highly-anticipated rematch.

After throwing The Everest markets on their heads with her upset Premiere Stakes success, Libertini was subsequently called up to run in the event for James Harron and is at $7 to salute.

“We were waiting to see something like that really jump out of the ground,” Harron, who won the inaugural The Everest with Redzel in 2017, told Racing NSW.

“She couldn’t have been more impressive and if she can repeat that performance on Saturday week, she will be very hard to beat

“In recent years it has (paid to be patient), you’ve got to hold your nerve a little bit but you do start to question it as you go.

“You could have had a horse that already has a slot in the Everest win (the Premiere) and it makes it difficult because you are essentially taking a horse that runs second or third and you’re probably not going to turn the tables.

“To have a horse that was fresh on scene and beating two horses right in the market with runs under their belts it was a huge performance.”

Only Chris Waller Racing still holds an unfilled The Everest slot just over a week out from the race after being outplayed by the other syndicate for Libertini last Saturday.

Click here for the latest all-in The Everest 2020 odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.