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Australian Turf Club will host Sydney’s first major event post lockdown with the running of the world’s richest race on turf the $15 million TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday. 

A maximum of 10,000 spectators under strict COVID-Safe protocols will be trackside to see twelve of the world’s best sprinters clash, including ruling favourite and defending TAB Everest champion Classique Legend. 

All spectators will be required to pre-register tickets, show proof of full vaccination and QR code before entering the racecourse, and practice social distancing in dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces under NSW Government Public Health Orders. 

Gates for ATC Members who have secured tickets through a ballot will open at 10am and pre-purchased only General Admission customers can enter from 10.30am. 

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley welcomed the NSW Government’s approval to reopen Sydney and Everest Day to spectators in larger numbers. 

“Sydney’s first major celebration of Spring starts this Saturday at Royal Randwick for the world’s richest and most exciting turf race," Mr Barkley said. “We encourage everyone who has pre-registered and received their tickets to arrive early and allow plenty of time for the entry process to maximise the enjoyment of Everest Day."

The $15 million TAB Everest to be run as race seven at 4.15pm on a ten-race card has attracted a world-class field of 12 runners in latest TAB market order: 

Classique Legend – ($4.20 equal favourite on TAB) for legendary 81-year-old Royal Randwick trainer Les Bridge and jockey Kerrin McEvoy, both looking to win a second consecutive TAB Everest, and for McEvoy a fourth win in five years;  

Nature Strip ($4.50-$4.20 eq fav) one of the world’s highest-ranked sprinters trained by Sydney’s 11-time Premiership winner Chris Waller and with champion jockey James McDonald; 

Eduardo ($8 -$6) another of the world’s highest-rated sprinters trained at Warwick Farm by Joe Pride and ridden by Royal Randwick specialist Nash Rawiller; 

Gytrash ($9 – $7.50) from South Australia and looking to improve on last year’s third for trainer Gordon Richards, jockey Jason Collett and slot holder Inglis; 

Masked Crusader ($7 – $9) from Hawkes Racing stable lead by Hall Of Fame trainer John Hawkes and with Tommy Berry aboard; 

Home Affairs ($11 to $10) owned by international racing and breeding giant Coolmore for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Glen Boss who combined with Yes Yes in 2019; 

Lost and Running ($21 – $19) slot owned by TAB for trainer John O’Shea and jockey Hugh Bowman who this month joined the 100 or more Group 1 winners Club; 

The Inferno ($17 – $23) who hails from Singapore and is now trained out of Victoria by Cliff Brown with Everest Carnival dual Group 1-winning rider Regan Bayliss; 

Trekking ($26 – $34) owned and raced by the world’s largest racing operation Godolphin for Australian racing family royalty trainer James Cummings and jockey Josh Parr; 

Libertini ($26 – $34) trained by James’s father Anthony Cummings and ridden by popular Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton; 

Wild Ruler ($26 – $51) trained by inaugural and dual TAB Everest family team Peter and Paul Snowden and leading Sydney jockey Tim Clark; 

Embracer ($51 – $61) trained by the queen of Australian racing Gai Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott and ridden by Jean Van Overmeire who only weeks ago finished his apprenticeship. 

Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering, James Ross said the TAB Everest had established itself as the world’s best sprint race in just a few renewals. 

“The TAB Everest features the world’s best sprinters and this year’s field has amassed over $35 million in prizemoney between them, and is undoubtedly the flagship race in Sydney’s growing Spring and $50 million Everest Carnival," Mr Ross said. “This year’s race will be watched across both hemispheres including simulcast into Hong Kong for the first time.  

“This growing simulcast with our partners Sky International will further enhance this race as the second biggest wagering event across the Australian industry. The Australian Turf Club is thrilled to welcome the return of owners to our tracks on a day which is rapidly growing as one of the nation’s major sporting events in spring."

Full fields for Saturday’s 10-race card are available here and full TAB markets for all races can be found here.

Two Group 3 races and one of Sydney’s time-honoured staying events also feature on Saturday’s program.  The Group 3 $500,000 Moët & Chandon Sydney Stakes features four reserve runners for the TAB Everest with the Mark Newnham trained Big Parade with Josh Parr to ride the early ($4.50 – 4) TAB favourite. 

The Group 3 $750,000 Yulong Craven Plate following a prizemoney boost in recent years has attracted a strong field including five Group 1 winners headed by Think It Over ($2 – 2.30 fav), trained by Kerry Parker and ridden by Nash Rawiller. 

And the historic $500,000 Bentley St Leger Stakes over 2600m adds to a quality card with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to saddle up early favourite Entente ($3.80 fav) for Tim Clark. 

Following the NSW Government’s approval this week to increase crowd capacity, a limited number of tickets remain on sale here. For all racing and general information including tickets on sale for other upcoming racedays during the Everest Carnival visit australianturfclub.com.au