One of the biggest days on the Australian racing calendar takes centre stage at Royal Randwick this Saturday, with the world’s best sprinters chasing glory and a share of the $20 million purse in the Group 1 The Everest (1200m). The Neds form team has you covered with our 2026 The Everest betting tips, predictions and favourites, breaking down the key winning chances, market movers and value runners in the world’s richest race on turf.
The Everest continues to attract an elite field of local and international sprint stars, and this year’s milestone 10th edition is no exception. With proven Group 1 performers, exciting up-and-comers and plenty of betting intrigue throughout the field, punters are set for another cracking edition of the Sydney sprint feature.
Defending champion Ka Ying Rising sits atop The Everest betting as he chases a rare second victory in the race and looks to cement his status as the world’s premier sprinter. The Hong Kong superstar brings an extraordinary winning record into the contest and remains the benchmark despite drawing wide.
The unbeaten Tempted shapes as the clear danger after a flawless spring preparation, while proven Group 1 performers Jimmysstar, Angel Capital, Joliestar and former Everest winner Giga Kick add plenty of depth. Meanwhile, exciting three-year-old filly Blue Door brings genuine X-factor as the sole youngster in the field.
With championship class at the top of the market and betting value scattered throughout the line-up, the 2026 edition of The Everest shapes as one of the standout betting races of the spring.
Below you’ll find our full 2026 The Everest preview, betting tips and same race multi selections.
2026 The Everest Favourites & Best Bets
KA YING RISING (11) remains the horse to beat in the 2026 The Everest, even if his odds leave little room for value.
The reigning champion has not been beaten since January 2024, boasts an outstanding 1200m record, and heads back to Randwick chasing an incredible 22nd straight victory.
The wide draw in barrier 11 is far from ideal, but it shouldn’t prove a major obstacle given Bella Nipotina won from the same gate in 2024.
With Zac Purton travelling to Sydney to maintain the partnership and David Hayes adamant the Hong Kong superstar has improved since last year’s triumph, he looks primed to make another bold bid for history.
Ka Ying Rising toyed with his rivals when winning his latest start at Sha Tin by seven lengths carrying 61kg, and he returns to weight-for-age conditions with just 58.5kg on his back.
While some punters may point to his recent trial defeat to Ninja as a reason to oppose him, there was little concern from connections, who viewed the hit-out as nothing more than a fitness exercise.
On exposed form, he’s still clearly the benchmark and looks every chance to become just the second dual winner of The Everest.
| 1. Ka Ying Rising (11) J: Zac Purton 58.5kg 111×1 T: David A Hayes | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 41-day let-up. First-up after four months won by 7 len in the G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on September 6 over 1200m defeating Copartner Prance with 61kg. Previously second-up won by 1.2 len in a G1 The Everest at this track on October 18 over 1200m defeating Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $2. World’s best sprinter who can stamp his authority again. | |||
TEMPTED (1) shapes as the clear danger to the favourite after her outstanding rise from last year’s brave Everest second as a three-year-old filly.
Now a stronger and more mature four-year-old, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare comes into the race in career-best form and looks primed for another crack at Ka Ying Rising.
Her record at Randwick over 1200m is exceptional (6:5-1-0), with her only defeat at the course and distance coming in last year’s Everest.
Since then, she’s reeled off five straight wins, including dominant performances in the Concorde Stakes and Premiere Stakes, where she put nearly three lengths on fellow Everest contender Savvy Hallie despite covering extra ground.
Tempted has been gifted barrier one for the second consecutive year, draws to enjoy the perfect run, and remains unbeaten with Chad Schofield aboard.
Third-up and thriving, she gets every chance to improve on last year’s effort and looms as the obvious threat to the reigning champion.
| 9. Tempted (1) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 11×11 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming favourite; won by a long-neck in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m defeating Headwall with 58kg at $1.95. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 3 len in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Savvy Hallie carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Ran second in this race last year and is going even better this prep, shapes as the main danger. | |||
BLUE DOOR (9) appeals as the value play outside the two dominant favourites, with the exciting three-year-old filly bringing genuine upside into her toughest test to date.
The Bjorn Baker-trained daughter of Stay Inside has had just four starts but has already shown she belongs at a high level and gets a significant advantage under the weights carrying only 51kg.
After beating home quality opposition on debut, she backed that up with strong placings against the boys in The Rosebud and San Domenico Stakes before stamping her Everest credentials with a dominant 2.2-length win in the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.
The speed and sectionals she produced there were outstanding and suggested she has the talent to measure up in elite company.
The sole three-year-old in the field, Blue Door draws barrier nine and is expected to roll forward and be prominent throughout.
The booking of Jamie Melham, who heads to Sydney for the ride turning down the Caulfield Cup ride aboard the defending champ Half Yours, only adds further confidence, while her lightweight profile gives her every chance to be competitive deep into the race.
She faces a much stronger line-up than ever before, but with plenty of X-factor and upside still untapped, Blue Door looks capable of outrunning her odds and rates as a leading contender for the minor money and exotics.
| 12. Blue Door (9) J: Jamie Melham 51kg 1×221 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Last start favourite; won by 2.25 len in the G3 Heritage Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1100m defeating Ciaron’s Star carrying 56.5kg at $1.85. Before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 8 in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill on August 29 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Guest House carrying 55kg at $1.95. Yet to win past 1100m and is no Tempted. | |||
2026 The Everest Same Race Multi Selections
- To Win – No. 1 Ka Ying Rising
- Top 3 – No. 9 Tempted
- Top 4 – No. 12 Blue Door
KA YING RISING (11) is the anchor of our The Everest Same Race Multi as the reigning champion looks poised to make it 22 straight wins and become just the second dual winner of the $20 million sprint. The Hong Kong superstar has been untouchable for nearly two years and remains the clear horse to beat despite drawing wide.
TEMPTED (1) for a Top 3 finish is the logical inclusion after her unbeaten 2026 campaign. The in-form mare boasts an outstanding Randwick 1200m record, draws perfectly in barrier one, and looks the most likely runner to challenge the favourite.
BLUE DOOR (9) for a Top 4 finish rounds out the play. The exciting three-year-old gets in with just 51kg, brings explosive form through her Heritage Stakes victory, and has the upside to measure up against the elite sprinters at attractive odds.
| 1. Ka Ying Rising (11) J: Zac Purton 58.5kg 111×1 T: David A Hayes | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 41-day let-up. First-up after four months won by 7 len in the G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on September 6 over 1200m defeating Copartner Prance with 61kg. Previously second-up won by 1.2 len in a G1 The Everest at this track on October 18 over 1200m defeating Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $2. World’s best sprinter who can stamp his authority again. | |||
| 9. Tempted (1) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 11×11 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming favourite; won by a long-neck in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m defeating Headwall with 58kg at $1.95. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 3 len in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Savvy Hallie carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Ran second in this race last year and is going even better this prep, shapes as the main danger. | |||
| 12. Blue Door (9) J: Jamie Melham 51kg 1×221 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Last start favourite; won by 2.25 len in the G3 Heritage Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1100m defeating Ciaron’s Star carrying 56.5kg at $1.85. Before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 8 in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill on August 29 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Guest House carrying 55kg at $1.95. Yet to win past 1100m and is no Tempted. | |||
Latest The Everest 2026 Odds
The Everest 2026 Odds
| 1. Ka Ying Rising (11) J: Zac Purton 58.5kg 111×1 T: David A Hayes | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 41-day let-up. First-up after four months won by 7 len in the G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on September 6 over 1200m defeating Copartner Prance with 61kg. Previously second-up won by 1.2 len in a G1 The Everest at this track on October 18 over 1200m defeating Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $2. World’s best sprinter who can stamp his authority again. | |||
| 2. Jimmysstar (8) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 42×91 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 9th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 5 len behind Beiwacht carrying 59kg at $3.80. Last start settled well back; won by 0.8 len in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m defeating Extragalactic carrying 58.5kg at $6.50. Finished third here last year and appears to be going just as well. | |||
| 3. Giga Kick (12) J: Dylan Gibbons 58.5kg 20×08 T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 10th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 58.5kg at $4.80. Second run from a spell 8th of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 4 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 58.5kg at $13. Won this race in 2022 and the blinkers go on, doesn’t appear to be going well enough. | |||
| 4. Angel Capital (2) J: Ben Melham 58.5kg 6×301 T: Chris Waller | |||
| At the latest run came from midfield and won by 0.8 len in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1400m defeating Sepals with 56kg at $5. Before that 10th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Beiwacht carrying 59kg at $9.50. Blinkers go on and not as effective on rain affected going, slim place claims. | |||
| 5. Caballus (10) J: Tim Clark 58.5kg 216×5 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 5th of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, slow going 4 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $8.50. Previously second-up won by a neck in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 7 over 1200m defeating Gallant Son with 55kg at $19. Newmarket winner who races best second up, but faces a tough ask from the draw. | |||
| 6. Headwall (6) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58.5kg x1x25 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 2nd of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, long-neck behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $4.40. Last start 5th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Mazu with 56kg at $3.20. At his top now and will relish a rain affected track, respect. | |||
| 7. Ninja (3) J: Tommy Berry 58.5kg 15×19 T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.2 len in the G2 Missile Stakes at this track on August 8 over 1200m defeating Napoleonic with 57.5kg at $5. Second-up 9th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 2 len behind Mazu carrying 57kg at $4.60. Kept fresh and gets every chance on a rain affected track. | |||
| 8. Joliestar (5) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 1x3x2 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Having second run back today. Last outing came from midfield; 2nd of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, neck behind Mazu carrying 56kg at $3.70. At only start last preparation tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 18 in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on June 20 over 1207m, neck behind Almeraq with 58kg at $2.90. Had no luck in this race the last two years, place preferred. | |||
| 9. Tempted (1) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 11×11 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming favourite; won by a long-neck in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m defeating Headwall with 58kg at $1.95. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 3 len in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Savvy Hallie carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Ran second in this race last year and is going even better this prep, shapes as the main danger. | |||
| 10. Spicy Martini (4) J: Taylor Marshall 56.5kg 121×4 T: Toby Edmonds | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 4th of 11 in a G2 The Shorts at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 0.7 len behind Mazu carrying 56kg at $19. Previously second-up 2nd of 15 in the G1 Doomben 10,000 on May 16 over 1200m, slow going 1.0 len behind Rothfire carrying 56.5kg at $30. Stradbroke winner who can surprise on a rain affected track. | |||
| 11. Savvy Hallie (7) J: Zac Lloyd 56.5kg 0x712 T: Brad Widdup | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Tempted carrying 56.5kg at $17. The race before that won by a long-neck in the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1200m defeating Gangsta Granny with 57kg at $20. Will sit on the strong tempo but struggle late. | |||
| 12. Blue Door (9) J: Jamie Melham 51kg 1×221 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Last start favourite; won by 2.25 len in the G3 Heritage Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1100m defeating Ciaron’s Star carrying 56.5kg at $1.85. Before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 8 in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill on August 29 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Guest House carrying 55kg at $1.95. Yet to win past 1100m and is no Tempted. | |||
| 13. Overpass (13) J: Unknown 58.5kg 4x30x T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Dual acceptor. Resuming. Finished off last campaign 13th of 18 at Ascot in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes June 20 over 1207m, 6 len behind Almeraq carrying 59.5kg at $15. When resuming last campaign third of 26 at Ascot in the G1 King Charles III Stakes June 16 over 1005m, 1.0 len behind Mission Central carrying 60.5kg at $4.30. Emergency poorly drawn. | |||
| 14. Charm Stone (14) J: Unknown 56.5kg x43x3 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after five months sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Jimmysstar with 56.5kg at $21. Previously second-up 3rd of 13 in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on April 25 over 1200m, nose behind Geegees Mistruth carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. Emergency who will need to do even more. | |||
| 15. Skybird (15) J: Unknown 56.5kg 70×61 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 6th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 3.5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $15. Second run from a spell favourite; won by a nose in the G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Smooth Chino carrying 55kg at $2.90. Emergency tested in this field. | |||
| 16. Marhoona (16) J: Unknown 56.5kg 14×63 T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1000m, 3 len behind Tempted carrying 58.5kg at $9. Second run from a spell 3rd of 12 in the G2 Premiere Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Tempted carrying 56.5kg at $18. Emergency likely to find this out of reach. | |||
The Everest FAQs
The 2026 The Everest is scheduled to run as the feature race on Everest Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 17, 2026. It is due to run as Randwick Race 7 at approximately 4:15pm (AEDT).
The Everest is run over 1200m and is widely regarded as Australia’s premier sprint race, attracting many of the world’s best short-course horses.
The Everest is worth a massive $20 million in prizemoney, making it the richest race on turf in the world, with The Everest winner taking home $7 million.
Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising heads The Everest betting as the odds-on favourite as he chases a second consecutive victory in the race.
Our best bet is No. 1 Ka Ying Rising, whose exceptional winning streak, elite 1200m record and dominant victory in last year’s race make him the horse to beat again.
No. 9 Tempted rates as the leading each way chance after winning all five starts since her runner-up finish in last year’s Everest. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare boasts an outstanding Randwick record and draws ideally from barrier one.
No. 12 Blue Door profiles as the best value runner in the field. The exciting three-year-old filly gets in with just 51kg and earned her place in the race with a dominant Heritage Stakes victory.
Yes. Redzel remains the only dual winner of The Everest, having won the inaugural editions in 2017 and 2018. Ka Ying Rising is attempting to join him in 2026.
Absolutely. Several recent editions of The Everest have been won by horses well fancied in betting, including Nature Strip ($3.70F in 2021), Giga Kick ($21 in 2022 as the notable exception), Think About It ($4.40F in 2023) and Ka Ying Rising as the $2 favourite in 2025.
Tempted is widely considered the biggest threat to the reigning champion. The unbeaten mare finished second to Ka Ying Rising in last year’s race and returns in even better form for the rematch.
While Yes Yes Yes (2019) is the sole three-year-old to win The Everest, younger horses receive a significant weight advantage under the race conditions. Blue Door will attempt to make history as the lone three-year-old in the 2026 field.
A popular Neds Same Race Multi for The Everest is: Ka Ying Rising To Win, Tempted Top 3, Blue Door Top 4. The trio combine proven elite-level form, a favourable race setup and value for punters chasing a The Everest Same Race Multi.