In the seven short years that the Everest has been in existence, it has has changed in many ways, none more than the total prizemoney on offer, which this year sees combatants trek around for a $20m purse.
But it’s the age demographic in the 2024 running that is the biggest difference, with four of the 12 runners just three years old.
One of those youngsters is the Ciaron Maher trained Growing Empire, aptly named given his behemoth of an operation.
Amazingly he’s never saddled up an Everest runner, but on Saturday has three live chances in I Am Me, Bella Nipotina and the spruik 3yo Growing Empire, who was declared the ‘Contender’ by Racing X’s Luke Dittman on Episode 8 of our weekly podcast Racing Xtra.
Alongside Growing Empire are 3yo’s Traffic Warden, which Luke declared as his ‘Pretender’ this week, $50m colt Storm Boy, who trainer Adrian Bott believes will bounce back (as heard on Racing Xtra) and another in his yard, Golden Slipper Winner Lady of Camelot.
For mine it’s I Wish I Win who looks trained to the minute and expect him to rattle down the crown of the track and become the first horse since Nature Strip to win the race after previously contesting it and losing.
As always, Randwick will come alive and nothing sets the hairs on your neck alight more than the crowd singing Sweet Caroline as they canter around to the barriers.
