3 minute read

Plenty of Everest contenders resumed on Saturday - how did they rate?

What's the story Mornington Glory?

Mornington Glory was a semi-surprise winner of the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), simply proving too quick for a field of top sprinters.

He's run to a new peak Racing & Sports rating of 118, up from 115 two starts ago when winning at benchmark 100 level by nearly four lengths.

It was noted pre-race that Estriella and Lady Of Camelot both held peak ratings of 118, and that I Wish I Win's only 1000m run also rated 118, yet on this occasion none of them were able to run to that level.

In terms of Moir's, this was a slow tempo and the overall time is below standard for this class of horse as well. A winning rating of 118 is on the low side for this race in the past ten years with only Pippie (115) rating lower to win the race in 2020.

That said, Nature Strip also ran to 118 in his 2019 win, along with Wild Ruler, Viddora and Coolangatta. It's definitely a far cry from Imperatriz last year who ran to 125.

I was surprised Mornington Glory was able to lead so easily, and I think Blake Shinn on Estriella should've forced the issue, rather than look to race Lady Of Camelot.

Hayasugi was excellent from the back, finishing full of running with too much to do, as was I Wish I Win, who came home in the fastest splits.

Hayasgui, on the R&S scale, has run to a new peak of 116, up from her 113 Blue Diamond win. Lady Of Camelot was solid enough in third with a rating of 114, the same rating as Estriella.

I'm not quite sure what to do with this form going forward. It'll probably win the Moir, with I Wish I Win likely to go into that as favourite, because there won't be many different horses.

Mornington Glory will be a tricky horse to place going forward, with Royal Ascot thrown up as possible option next year. Asfoora went over there rated 121 and matched that number to win the King Charles, so Mornington Glory is a bit off that.

I Am Me

Over in Sydney, the other 1000m sprint has out-rated the Moir with I Am Me getting the right run on the day, in what was a very slowly run race.

She's come home in 32.18 her last 600m which is low flying, ending up with a finishing speed % of 104.3 which is quite inefficient, especially for a horse who sat fourth in run.

Bella Nipotina has gone enormously well, reeling off her last 600m in 31.96, resulting in a finishing speed of 105.1.

She's run to 120 on the R&S scale and holds a peak of 123, which she looks right on track to produce this time in.

There's a case to be made Bella is the best sprinter in the country at the moment and arguably the horse to beat in The Everest off the returns of a few key chances on Saturday.

Giga Kick was maybe, barely a pass mark, but has only to run to 109, which is four pounds lower than his 113 rating he ran when beaten by Imperatriz first-up last campaign. It's also his third-lowest rating on the R&S scale ever, outside his first two career starts.

The Everest is wide open and crying out for a three-year-old. We do see Bustling return this week which will be interesting, while I think Growing Empire would go awfully close if they did change path and aim up with him.