The Everest (1200m), regarded as the world’s premier sprint race, is back this Saturday, with the 2024 edition shaping up to be an exciting contest featuring a highly competitive field.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 The Everest.

The Everest 🏆: View our comprehensive The Everest page

2024 The Everest Runner Preview:

1. I Wish I Win: I Wish I Win went very close to winning this race last year and I don’t think he’s racing as bad as what same have made out. Two runs back this prep have come at The Valley and for a horse like him, and his racing style, he’s just not suited to the tight track. He’s much better suited here, he’ll love a genuine 1200m and can launch at them late.

2. Giga Kick: This race has been the sole focus and I think he’s going much better than what people will have you think. Paraded with a beer gut first up, was wide no cover but stayed on well and then in the Premiere, it was a barrier trial and he only got warm late. Maps perfect, he’ll be strong late, best big race rider in the business…he’s overs.

3.Private Eye: I think he’s going well. But just where does he get to from the gate, especially now with the intentions of riding with intent, going forward. If he is able to slot in, he can win. But, I am not sure how he gets in.

4. Bella Nipotina: She is the best sprinter in Australia, by some distance, and was going to be clear top pick for me but the gate has turned me right off. Likely has to go back to last and I can’t see her giving them a start and a beating.

5. I Am Me: I want to pot her big time because she has been kissed on the date with the ride/runs in both starts/wins this prep. But, she is going to get that again here, with gate one, likely stalking the speed…I still say she can’t win, but for exotics, certainly can be entertained. But, I still think she’s unders.

6. Stefi Magnetica: Should have won The Shorts but just had to duck and weave, driving hard late to just miss out on I Am Me. Tick over trial was quite good, she’ll likely be off the speed but she’ll be launching late.

7. Sunshine In Paris: Sunshine In Paris is the forgotten horse I feel. She resumed with a bang in the Sheraco, giving them a start and a beating, and was impressive the way she knuckled down late when the race was there to be won. Kept on ice with this race in mind and her tick over trial was a lovely piece of work. She’ll be strong late and for mine, commands serious respect.

8. Joliestar: Joliestar can bounce back. Forgive her failure in the Sheraco given she was chasing from a fair way out and that just took away her finale when third to Sunshine In Paris. Waller has kept her on ice with this race in mind and the early market push is telling.

9. Growing Empire: Star colt that should have won the Manikato but just got lost in front. On paper, he could drive up with purpose, but I reckon his best chance will be if McEvoy tries and gets the 1/1 sit, wait to peel and pounce. He can win.

10. Traffic Warden: Traffic Warden has been my Everest pony for over two months and I am not going to be dropping off. He comes through the Golden Rose where he got off the speed and presented clear air to win. He looked the winner but he was nabbed late by Broadsiding. 1400m back to 1200m looks ideal, he’ll be strong late and has versatility re racing pattern.

11. Storm Boy: I like him back to 1200m vs 1400m and further, especially with the way he likes to be ridden, but as of this stage, this horse only runs for one rider, Hippo, and nobody else. Happy to let him go through to the keeper.

12. Lady Of Camelot: She’s got none, surely? Plain effort last time and the trial was just so so to my eye. Drawn out, will have to do too much work…keen to risk.

13. Overpass (1E): Overpass looks ready to rock and roll for me. Bjorn Baker trained star sprinter that resumes, having not raced since The Quokka where he made a mess of them from on speed and was quite dominant late in the piece. His trial work has been outstanding. If he gets a run, he’s dangerous.

14. Think About It (2E): 2023 Everest Winner but he’s not going much good to my eye off the return.

15. Southport Tycoon (3E): Outstanding winner of the Manikato but will run in the Sydney Stakes.

16. Mazu (4E): Mazu is a beauty for Joe Pride and looks to have returned really well. Game in defeat fresh in The Shorts before going to the Premiere when on speed and he was courageous but just missed out on the win when a narrow second to Airman. One that could pinch a first four spot.

2024 The Everest $100 Betting Strategy:

$20 Win/$80 Place Traffic Warden (Best of the Best via Topsport)

Group l Strategy Outlay: $1400
Group l Strategy Return: $865

2024 The Everest Speed Map

This could be one of the fastest run Everests in history to date. Storm Boy, Growing Empire, I Am Me and Lady Of Camelot all like to sit on speed, and with the notification of Private Eye ridden forward, they are going to go hard here. Traffic Warden gets the suck run in behind, likewise Giga Kick and Joliestar.

2024 The Everest Odds:

1. I Wish I Win (9)

J: Luke Nolen

T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman

2. Giga Kick (3)

J: Mark Zahra

T: Clayton Douglas

3. Private Eye (10)

J: Jay Ford

T: Joseph Pride

4. Bella Nipotina (12)

J: Craig Williams

T: Ciaron Maher

5. I Am Me (1)

J: Nash Rawiller

T: Ciaron Maher

6. Stefi Magnetica (6)

J: Zac Lloyd

T: Bjorn Baker

7. Sunshine In Paris (8)

J: Tommy Berry

T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

8. Joliestar (4)

J: James McDonald

T: Chris Waller

9. Growing Empire (7)

J: Kerrin McEvoy

T: Ciaron Maher

10. Traffic Warden (2)

J: Jamie Kah

T: James Cummings

11. Storm Boy (5)

J: Brenton Avdulla

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

12. Lady Of Camelot (11)

J: Rachel King

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

13. Overpass (13)

J: Unknown

T: Bjorn Baker

14. Think About It (14)

J: Unknown

T: Joseph Pride

15. Southport Tycoon (15)

J: Unknown

T: Ciaron Maher

16. Mazu (16)

J: Unknown

T: Joseph Pride