2025 Premiere Stakes: The Everest hopes Briasa, Jimmysstar, Private Harry on collision course

The talented trio are already safely in the $20 million The Everest field although there is pressure to perform in the Premiere, particularly for Private Harry.

The previously unbeaten Private Harry resumed when only fifth as favourite Joliestar and Briasa in The Shorts.

Slot-holders Yulong bought into Private Harry after he won the Group 1 The Galaxy earlier this year and immediately announced the sprinter would run for them in The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 18.

Yulong will be hoping for an improved run from the Nathan Doyle-trained Private Harry in the Premiere or the racing and breeding powerhouse could consider other options.

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The Premiere Stakes has 12 early entries including the improving Chris Waller-trained mare Generosity who ran so well for third in The Shorts and is pushing for a possible Everest slot.

But how many sprinters line-up in the Premiere remains to be seen as War Machine, In Flight, Mazu, Nadal and Tiger Shark are also nominated for the Group 2 $300,000 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

War Machine hasn’t raced since his brilliant Stradbroke Handicap win in June but there is speculation the sprinter is in the Everest mix.

Trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have indicated they are likely to accept with War Machine in both the Premiere Stakes and Gilgai Stakes on Wednesday then decide the most suitable race.

Both sprints have Everest relevance with Think About It winning the Stradbroke Handicap and Premiere Stakes before taking The Everest two years ago.

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If the Hayes stable decides to start War Machine in the Gilgai Stakes, then they are following the Private Eye path from 2022. He was second in the Stradbroke and Everest but sandwiched between those runs was his win in the Gilgai Stakes.

Meanwhile, trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald revealed the talented My Oberon passed away after a short illness on Monday.

My Oberon, who started his race career under William Haggas in England, was transferred to the Archibald stable three years ago and won the Group 2 Crystal Mile in 2022, was narrowly beaten by Mr Brightside in the 2023 Group 1 Doncaster Mile and was third in successive Group 1 King Charles III Stakes behind Fangirl (2023) and Ceolwulf (2024).

A nine-year-old by super sire Dubawi, My Oberon had 35 starts for six wins and 10 minor placings, earning nearly $3.4 million prizemoney.

Originally published as 2025 Premiere Stakes: The Everest hopes Briasa, Jimmysstar, Private Harry on collision course