James Cummings-trained Traffic Warden secures spot in The Everest

Traffic Warden has been selected to run in The Everest at Randwick Racecourse on 19 October. The three-year-old is one of James Cummings and Godolphin Racing’s top colts.

The three-year-old son of Street Boss is one of the betting favourites to win the $20 million race.

With Traffic Warden’s place secured on Monday and Private Eye announced over the weekend, 11 runners have been confirmed for The Everest. 12 horses will run in the race.

Major contender secures spot

With $20 million in prize money up for grabs, The Everest is Australia’s richest race. It’s also an invitational race. This means, sometimes, Australia’s best horses do not get an invite. That doesn’t seem to be the case this year.

Before his nomination, Traffic Warden was one of the Everest betting odds leaders. He’s a young horse though, so there was some talk of him not getting nominated by Godolphin Racing. Thankfully for racing fans, that did not happen.

The three-year-old will race at Randwick later this month. The betting sites currently give him $8 chance of winning. Jamie Kah will ride Traffic Warden at The Everest.

Cummings confident about Colt’s chances

James Cummings is one of Australia’s top trainers. He and the Godolphin Racing team identified Traffic Warden as their best runner heading into the 2024/25 racing season. So far, the colt has lived up to the hype.

Traffic Warden hasn’t won any Group 1 races yet, but he has started his 2024/25 campaign very strong.

On 14 September, the colt won the Group 2 The Run To The Rose by a head at Rosehill. Two weeks later, he finished second in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes.

Trainer James Cummings says those runs have prepared Traffic Warden perfectly for The Everest.

“He’s come through his most recent run brilliantly, and third-up he will be ready to peak Everest day,” he said.

Everest betting favourites

With Traffic Warden confirmed, there is just one slot left to be filled in The Everest field. That slot belongs to Yulong Investments. The breeding operation will likely announce their runner this week.

Until then, here is the current field:

1. I Wish I Win
2. Bella Nipotina
3. Joliestar
4. Traffic Warden
5. Sunshine In Paris
6. Giga Kick
7. Stefi Magnetica
8. Storm Boy
9. Private Eye
10. I Am Me
11. Lady Of Camelot

At the time of writing, I Wish I Win and Bella Nipotina are the clear favourites with $5 and $6 odds to win, respectively.

Traffic Warden ($8) and Joliestar ($9) round out the top four Everest betting favourites, with Sunshine In Paris close behind at $11 chances.