THE FORECAST: Everest Dreaming

by Mick Sharkie
Gallops
18 October, 2024

THE FORECAST: EVEREST DREAMING

Did you know that on average 4.5 people die trying to climb Everest each year? Eight have already died this year trying to make it to the top of the world’s biggest mountain.

Seems a bit of a risk for what are essentially bragging rights if you make it to the top. No one wants to see the slide show of the trip or listen to the story.

“So basically, we walked really slow up this white mountain and then stopped and then did the same thing again for the next three weeks.”

Great story Dad. What did you bring me back from the gift shop?

Why the hell would you bother? If you want a challenge try and find the winner of the Everest at Randwick on Saturday, it’s nearly as impossible and the chances of death are much lower. In fact the only person near death that you might see is this guy.

This is Australia’s best sprint race, and all the big dogs are here. This year I reckon it’s a race for the three-year-olds, GROWING EMPIRE and STORM BOY are most appealing. Storm Boy might be a little on the nose having not quite lived up to the hype train that he was bolted too after his Magic Millions win, while Growing Empire has growing expectation pushing him towards the top of the markets – a win would see his owner and slot holder Yulong take the entire $7million first prize.

It’s hard to imagine that the Caulfield Cup – one of Australia’s greatest handicap Cups – would play second fiddle to any race tomorrow, but that is exactly the situation we find ourselves in. It’s not a vintage Cup, Kalapour as a 55kg top weight tells us that, but we live in hope that a new star emerges – hopefully its ELIYASS for Queen Gai.

Back to Randwick and the King Charles III where PRIDE OF JENNI is a fan favourite with her only danger FAN GIRL. The battle of the two big mares should be an absolute ripper, hold on to your butts at Royale Randwick if Jenni opens them up coming round the home turn.