“There is a little bit of nerves”: Chris Waller talks Everest chances

Chris Waller is one of the greatest trainers in Australian horse racing history. He is an Australian racing Hall of Famer. His team have won over 160 Group 1 races and continue to be a premier training outfit for some of Australia’s best horses.

Even with all of his experience, Waller says he is starting to feel a bit of pressure before The Everest at Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, 19 October.

“A little bit of nerves”

Chris Waller is arguably Australia’s best trainer and his star mare Joliestar is The Everest betting sites favourite. Despite that, the nerves are on, says Waller.

“There is a little bit of nerves, especially for The Everest,” Waller revealed this week.

“The race is worth so much money and there is so much at stake. You have the slot-holders, you have the owners of the horse, the expectation of the public, and it sounds like it is a sell-out at Randwick on Saturday.

“All of these various aspects create pressure but it is a pressure that is a privilege to be a part of. The Everest is the most talked about sprint race in the world. It is an amazing race and it really has taken racing in Sydney to a new level,” Waller added.

Mixed feelings

While Waller admitted that he is starting to feel the pressure of The Everest, he also said that he and his team are confident going into the $20 million race. Waller has won the marquee event twice in his career, which gives him confidence ahead of this year’s race, he says.

“Having been there before, regardless of what sport you are in, whether it is a final of a footy game or you have been to the Olympics, our stable has been in this situation before and that does help you to relax and deal with the moment,” he explained.

Waller also says that he is not worried about how Joliestar will run. The mare has not raced since the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on 14 September. Waller says this suits her.

“She has a good draw (four) on Saturday, she is a fresh horse and it is all systems go, we are very happy with her,” he said.

“It’s a great field”

Many horse racing betting experts are calling this year’s race the most wide open Everest in history. Waller echoed that sentiment this week.

“It’s a great field, we respect that,” Waller said, “It will make for a great spectacle on Saturday – there is no turning back once we get here.”

Joliestar is the favourite to win at $6 odds. I Wish I Win is narrowly behind Waller’s mare $6.50 chances of winning.

Growing Empire ($8), Traffic Warden ($8.50), Bella Nipotina ($9), and Sunshine In Paris ($9) round out the other major Everest contenders.