2023 The Everest Field Takes Shape: Yulong Hold Last Slot

Yulong Investments hold the final slot in this year’s 12-horse The Everest 2023 field with eleven horses now confirmed for the world’s richest turf race on October 14.

Golden Pendant winner Espiona will represent Chris Waller Racing in the 2023 The Everest field. Photo: Steve Hart.

Trainer Chris Waller confirmed his Golden Pendant winning mare Espiona would fill the Chris Waller Racing slot in the $20 million sprint showdown at Royal Randwick with the now Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman to return down under for the ride.

Syndicator Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds of Winx fame have their first shot at The Everest with Espiona who is rated a $15 shot in all-in markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Waller has prepared two of the past six The Everest winners saluting with three-year-old Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and again in 2021 with champion sprinter Nature Strip.

He will have two chances at a third win with slot holders Coolmore locking in the stable’s Golden Slipper winner from the autumn, Shinzo, who will have three-time The Everest winning hoop Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

“On behalf of our slot partners, Ingham Racing, Magic Bloodstock, Noel and Maria Greenhalgh and Neville and Jenny Morgan, I am thrilled to announce the acquisition of Espiona to represent our slot for 2023,” Waller told the media.

“Espiona has proven her credentials over the past 12 months and her dominant display over 1400m in the Golden Pendant last start provides us with the perfect platform heading into the TAB Everest this year”.

With Shinzo now a confirmed The Everest contender speculation star New Zealand mare Imperatriz could gain a slot following her Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) victory at The Valley on Friday night.

The other confirmed mare looking to become the first to beat home the boys in The Everest is In Secret to be ridden by Zac Purton.

The dual Group 1 winner runs for Godolphin and pays $17 in the latest The Everest betting markets.

Trainer James Cummings also prepares two The Everest horses with three-year-old Exceed And Excel colt Cylinder ($11), third last time out in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), locked in for James Harron Bloodstock.

Cylinder was named as the replacement contender for James Harron Bloodstock following the sensational withdrawal of the defending champion Giga Kick due to injury.

It is likely there will be three mares in The Everest this year with Yulong tipped to lock in English import Alcohol Free following her brave fourth in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) on Epsom Handicap Day.

The Premiere Stakes was narrowly won by the first-up favourite Think About It with Joe Pride‘s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup – Stradbroke Handicap champion from the winter returning an odds-on winner.

Think About It (Newgate Farm & GPI Racing) heads The Everest markets equal at $4.50 with I Wish I Win (Trackside – New Zealand TAB) prepared by Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman.

Pride also saddles-up last year’s The Everest runner-up Private Eye who was snapped up by Max Whitby & Neil Werrett following a success in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) on September 16.

The Shorts place-getters Overpass (ATC & RAM Racing) and Buenos Noches (TAB) are also both confirmed runners in The Everest race this spring.

The progressive Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Hawaii Five Oh meanwhile made Think About It work for his Premiere Stakes win running a brave second and will get a chance to turn the tables running for Aquis.

Mazu (The Star & Arrowfield) is the other confirmed runner with Team Snowden’s 25/1 shot looking strong when second to Overpass in a star-studded Rosehill barrier trial on Tuesday morning.

Click here for the latest all-in The Everest 2023 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.