- The seven-year-old did not have a favorable barrier draw
- Was caught without cover
- It made no difference when jockey Craig Williams rode the mare to victory.
Seven-year-old mare Bella Nipotina won the $20 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick, the richest turf race in the world.
Ridden by Craig Williams and trained by Ciaron Maher, Bella Nipotina picked up the pace and finished strongly in the straight to narrowly win over 2022 winner Giga Kick.
“We drew gate 12, the fear all week was that they would catch it three deep with no cover,” said owner Michael Christian.
‘She was. But she was still good enough.
“I don’t know what to say, she’s just a weirdo.”
The mare held off runner-up Giga Kick, who Williams rode to victory in the 2022 Everest race.
It was sweet revenge for the jockey, who was dropped as Giga Kick’s jockey after a controversial run in the McEwen Stakes last spring only to beat his former horse when it mattered.
“It’s very, very special,” Williams said.
‘Again, I can’t do it without Bella’s performance. We tied 12. We were hoping for more rain, but the track was to their liking and the plan was: Ciaron Maher said: let’s trust her. We can be broad, let’s not be negative, let’s be positive. Come on.
‘I’m lucky to know her. Going to the door today I told Ciaron that he was moving well. “And before I gave her a pat and a hug, she was ready to go.”
The third home was Growing Empire, and the fourth was Lady Of Camelot.
Seven-year-old mare Bella Nipotina won the richest race on grass: Everest
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace look on as jockey Craig Williams rides the mare to glory.
Bella Nipotina started with $7.35 in the NSW purse and earned Connections $7 million with the win.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said he was in the best form of his career and had the right conditions.
“We said in the barrier draw that he has an uncanny ability to run very well from any gate, wide, inside, it doesn’t matter,” he said.
‘Craig, beautiful trip, having the guts to do that.
“And to do it so late in his career, a 54th start is incredible.”
Veteran Channel 7 racing announcer Bruce McAvaney declared that it might have been “the best Everest yet”.
‘Magnificent race! “Amazing, classic race down the straight between two wonderful horses,” McAvaney said.
Channel 7 horse racing expert Katelyn Mallyon said: ‘This mare is simply stunning. She is the most genuine mare I have ever seen.
“From drawing a barrier like that to being able to make a triple on the trip and still fighting, a horse that had all that inside with Giga Kick, she deserves all of this praise.”
Godolphin’s colt Traffic Warden was late after going rogue in the starting gates.
Meanwhile, 2023 Everest winner Think About It suffered a heavy fall mid-race during the Group 3 Sydney Stakes.
After failing to secure a start in the 2024 edition of Everest, Think About It raced at curtain raiser and broke down, crashing shortly after the first turn.
Both horse and rider were able to stand and walk to the stalls.
‘Thoughts with the Think About It connections. That’s devastating,’ Mallyon said.
“There’s a lot of grief right now with Think About It,” McAvaney added.
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