The Everest 2023 Tips, Odds & Predictions

The Everest is the world’s richest race on turf. It has a staggering prize money of $20 million. It attracts the best sprinters from Australia and overseas, who compete over 1200 metres at the iconic Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.

The race is open to any horse three-years-old or upwards, but only 12 slots are available, each costing $700,000 each. The slot holders can choose their own runner or sell, trade, or lease their slot to other connections.

The Everest will be held this Saturday the 14th October 2023 and is the highlight of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. The 2022 edition was won by the outsider Giga Kick, who upset the favourites Nature Strip and Espiona.

But who will win the 2023 Everest? Let’s take a look at some of the contenders and their odds according to the bookies.

Who do the major betting sites have as favourite?

We’re set for another thrilling spectacle of speed and skill, as twelve of the fastest horses in the world compete for a share of the $20 million prize money. But who are the favourites to win the world’s richest race on turf?

Here what some of the major betting sites have as their tips for the Everest 2023 at the time of writing:

TAB: TAB has Private Eye as the favourite at $4.50, closely followed by Mazu at $5.00 and Espiona at $6.00. Private Eye is a spritely four-year-old gelding who won the Golden Eagle in 2022. They have a record of seven wins from 11 starts. Mazu is a five-year-old gelding who finished second in the Everest 2022 and has won six of his 10 starts. Espiona is a seven-year-old gelding who won the Doomben 10,000 in 2022 and has 11 wins from 23 starts.
Sportsbet: Sportsbet also has Private Eye as the favourite at $4.50, followed by Mazu at $5.50 and Espiona at $7.00. Sportsbet also offers a market for the top international runner, with Alcohol Free leading the way at $8.00. Alcohol Free is a four-year-old mare who won the Sussex Stakes in England in 2022 and has six wins from 11 starts.
Ladbrokes: Surprisingly, Ladbrokes has Mazu as the favourite at $4.80, very closely followed by Private Eye at $5.00 and Espiona at $6.50. Ladbrokes also has a market for the top NSW country-trained runner, with Overpass leading the way at $11.00. Another contender, Overpass is a four-year-old gelding who won the Kosciuszko in 2022 and has seven wins from 12 starts.
Bet365: Bet365 has Private Eye as the favourite at $4.33, followed by Mazu at $5.00 and Espiona at $6.50. Bet365 also has a market for the top Victorian-trained runner, with Jacquinot leading the way at a long $15.00. Jacquinot is a four-year-old colt who finished third in the Manikato Stakes in 2022 and has four wins from nine starts.

Why Private Eye could win

Private Eye is a top pick for the upcoming Everest. He’s proven himself to be a versatile and adaptable sprinter, capable of winning over various distances and under different conditions. He’s shown a remarkable improvement in his form this season, culminating in his impressive victory in The Shorts at Randwick last Saturday.

Private Eye was runner-up under a half-length off the three-year-old winner Giga Kick in last year’s The Everest results. He returned to his best fresh first-up in the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) on 7 Stakes Day with an arrogant win thanks to another 10/10 ride by Nash Rawiller. He did plenty of work after popping out to the half-mile three-deep and facing the breeze the whole way before picking them up and flying through the line.

His trainer Joe Pride said he expected Private Eye to improve significantly at his next couple of runs, and that he was an “unbelievable horse” who kept changing and he had to keep up with him. Pride also has another Everest contender in Think About It, who won the Kingsford Smith Cup – Stradbroke Handicap double in the winter.

Private Eye is likely to face a strong field of rivals in The Everest, including Alcohol Free, who completed the line-up after being booked by Yulong Investments. Nature Strip was the star of the race last year, and Giga Kick, who recorded a fairytale win in 2022. However, Private Eye has a one of the most favourable barrier draws with saddlecloth number 3. There’s also the advantage of having Rawiller on board, who is in red-hot form.

Private Eye is currently the second favourite in the betting markets, behind Nature Strip, but I think he has what it takes to upset the odds and claim the $20 million prize. He is a horse with a lot of heart and talent, and he will deliver a thrilling performance on October 14.

Why Mazu could win

Mazu is one of the four horses in The Everest 2023 that have syndicated owners, which means he has a lot of support and enthusiasm behind him. Mazu is trained by the father-son duo of Peter and Paul Snowden, who have a proven record of success in big races.

Mazu has shown impressive form this season, winning three of his four starts, including the Group 2 The Shorts at Randwick. He also finished second in a barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday, behind Overpass, who is another contender for The Everest. Mazu has a good barrier draw of six, which gives him a chance to settle in a handy position and unleash his powerful finish.

Mazu has also attracted some favourable bets from major betting sites in Australia, such as Sportsbet, TAB and Ladbrokes, who have him at odds of around $8.50. I think Mazu might have all the attributes to win The Everest 2023 and make history for his syndicate owners.

Why Espiona could win

Espiona is one of the fastest horses in Australia and he has proven himself in many big races. He was the runner-up in the 2022 edition of The Everest, only beaten by a narrow margin by the champion sprinter Giga Kick. He also won the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and the Group 2 Missile Stakes earlier this year, showing his versatility and consistency.

Espiona has a great record at Randwick, where he has won three times from five starts. He loves the 1200m distance, where he has won six times from nine starts. He also handles all track conditions, having won on good, soft and heavy surfaces.

Espiona is trained by Joseph Pride, who is one of the best trainers of sprinters in the country. He knows how to prepare his horses for The Everest, having finished second twice with Espiona and third once with Ball Of Muscle. He also has a great partnership with jockey Nash Rawiller, who has ridden Espiona in all his wins this year.

Espiona is one of the favourites for The Everest 2023. He is currently paying $5.00 at swiftbet, $4.80 at Betr and $5.50 at Sportsbet. These odds reflect his strong form and his suitability for the race.

Espiona is a horse that always gives his best and he has the speed, stamina and courage to win The Everest 2023. He has been unlucky to miss out on the glory in the past, but I think this year will be his year. He is one of my top picks for the race and I will be backing him with confidence.

The Bottom Line

The Everest 2023 is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between some of the best sprinters in the country.

The favourite, Mazu, has drawn a favourable barrier and has shown impressive form in his recent wins. However, he will face a strong challenge from Private Eye, who has also been in sensational form and has a proven record over 1200m.

Both horses are owned by syndicates of owners who have invested in the $20 million race .

If we look at the current odds and form, I would be putting money on Private Eye to win or place, as he offers better value than Mazu and has the ability to finish strongly.

Mazu is a worthy second pick, but may find it hard to hold off Private Eye in the final stages. Think About It and I Wish I Win are two other horses that could surprise with a good run.