Ray Thomas: The Everest certainly not over yet for Nature Strip as Premier Stakes throws up challengers

Nature Strip is the world's number one sprinter and favourite for The Everest. Lost And Running narrowly beat Mazu and Masked Crusader in the Premiere Stakes. The $15m race takes place at Royal Randwick on October 15. John O'Shea, trainer of Lost and Running, says Nature Strip has some level of vulnerability. The TAB Everest is worth $2.10 with Tabs Fixed Odds ahead of the favourite Lost & Running at $7.

Lost And Running won the Premiere Stakes. Godolphin has three sprinters for The Everest. Paulele is God Dolphin's number one seed. Kementari came fourth in the Premier Stake. Private Eye won in Gilgai Stages at Flemington. Joe Pride hopes Privateeye will be selected for Everest Day. If not, PrivateEye will line up in Sydney Staking on Everest day. The race will take place on September 23, 2022.

Lost And Running is a firm $7 second favourite for The Everest after his win in the Premiere Stakes at Royal Randwick. John O'Shea-trained Lost And running was responsible for 41 per cent of the total investment on the race. Mazu and Masked Crusader both firmed for Everest. No Compromise firming from $101 into $26 to win Caulfield Cup.

Lost And Running (race 7) and minor placegetters Mazu and Masked Crusader all ran great trials for The Everest. Empire Of Japan ( race 1) earned all the kudos for his fast finishing Breeders Plate win. Mach Ten (racing second) was a lot to like. Hosier (racer 3) shouldered topweight of 59kg and controlled the tempo in front.

Dylan Gibbons and Hosier won Premier Stakes on Saturday. She's Extreme finished second in Flight Stake. Remarque won the closer. He's a sprinter from Team Hawkes stable.

Empire of Japan won the Breeders Plate. Platinum Jubilee won Gimcrack Stakes. Remarque won with ease.  Ray Thomas: The Everest is not over yet for Nature Strip. Premier Stake throws up challengers. The meeting's second best sectional is No Compromise.

Annabel Neasham, trainer of Top Ranked, won her first Group 1. Sterling Alexiou, co-trainer of Ellsberg, was running in Epsom Stakes. It was a last minute decision to run Ell's in the Epsoms.

"He's going to come on so much for that. He was probably on empty with 100m to go but he got the job done. We can go to the big race in a couple of weeks and hopefully get another win."

Top Ranked (race 8) laid in over the final 100m and made contact with Hinged approaching the winning post. Ellsberg shifted out near the 25m, bumping Hinging and requiring its jockey to stop riding with the whip. Fireburn changed stride inside the 100 metres and did not stretch out fully. Trainer Gary Portelli advised that Fire burn will be spelled.

Ray Thomas is excited about Premier Stakes.

Zougotcha won a Group 1 in the Flight Stakes on Saturday. Ray Thomas believes the race is not over yet for Nature Strip.

James McDonald and Hugh Bowman rode six winners on Tab Epsom Day. Masked Crusader is ticking along well for The TAB Everest. Paternal might be on target for an upset over the coming months. Ray Thomas: The Everest is not over yet for Nature Strip.

Ray Thomas is looking forward to the Premier Stakes at Nature Strip.

Ray Thomas is excited about the Premier Stakes at Warwick Farm, Muswellbrook on Monday.

Nature Strip is going to face a challenge at Premier Stakes on Tuesday.

Ray Thomas is excited about the Premier Stakes.

Ray Thomas is excited about the Premier Stakes on Thursday.

Ray Thomas is excited about Premier Stakes on Friday at Port Macquarie, Canberra.

Ray Thomas is excited about the Premier Stakes on Saturday.