Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) soared past a stellar field of sprinters, setting a new Randwick track record of 1:07.32 for 1200 metres in front of an enthralled crowd of 40,912.
The special colt’s Everest heroics are likely to define his racing career, but the world’s richest turf race was barely on his radar until his second placing in the G1 Golden Rose three weeks ago.
That performance, and a disappointing showing the same day by stablemate Enticing Star (Testa Rossa) in the G2 Golden Pendant, moved Yes Yes Yes into prime position to take his trainer Chris Waller’s Everest slot.
“I have to thank Mr (Bob) Peters,” Waller said. “We had an agreement with him with Enticing Star, but she didn’t come up quite as well as we wanted and we ended up choosing this horse at the last minute.
“Obviously his run in the Golden Rose was very special, and now he’s shown that he’s a very exciting horse going forward.”
The Everest was just the eighth career start for Yes Yes Yes, and he was up against a formidable line-up that featured multiple Group 1 winners such as Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Nature Strip (Nicconi), Sunlight (Zoustar), Alizee (Sepoy), Irish raider Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) and dual Everest winner Redzel (Snitzel). But Yes Yes Yes well and truly rose to the occasion.
“Obviously his run in the Golden Rose was very special, and now he’s shown that he’s a very exciting horse going forward.” - Chris Waller
Ridden by Glen Boss, Yes Yes Yes dropped into the back half of the field as Sunlight, Nature Strip and Redzel set up a red-hot tempo in front.
Boss angled Yes Yes Yes into the clear in the straight and let him rip, blasting past his all-star opposition and taking the lead.
Fittingly, it was the previous Randwick track record-holder Santa Ana Lane who gave the strongest chase in the last 150 metres, storming home from second-last to get within half a length at the finish line.
But there would be no catching Yes Yes Yes, who earned $6.05 million in prize-money and much more in stud value.
“He’s worth a lot more than I am,” Waller said. “He could be an international, dual-hemisphere stallion now. His stud value is through the roof.
“To tell you the truth, this was an amazing feeling. Where we’ve been with Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) and where she took us has set us up for days like this. She took us on an emotional ride.”
“He could be an international, dual-hemisphere stallion now. His stud value is through the roof. " - Chris Waller
Yes Yes Yes was bred by Arlington Park Racing and was a $200,000 purchase at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Coolmore Stud purchased a 50% share in the colt of March of this year.
Yes Yes Yes was a $200,000 yearling purchase
Waller said a potential defence of the colt’s Everest crown in 12 months’ time would be left entirely up to the ownership group.
“With his enormous stud value, you’ve got to consider the risk involved – as we do with every horse,” he said. “That’ll be something for the owners to work out over time. The slotholders might have to put in a very good offer!”
Boss back on top
The other major contributor to Saturday’s triumph was jockey Glen Boss, who returned home in May following a stint in Singapore.
His Everest participation was briefly in doubt after twisting his knee in a starting gate incident earlier in the afternoon, but Boss was given the all-clear to take the ride on Yes Yes Yes.
He celebrated an emotional return to the Australian big time, comparing it to the third Melbourne Cup victory by the great Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) in 2005.
Chris Waller and Glen Boss celebrate their Everest win
“Oh my God, this is huge,” Boss said. “What a feeling! This takes me back to 2005. I don’t know what to say. My body is on fire right now.
“Thanks to Chris Waller for putting his faith in me, and to this beautiful colt right here. What are you worth now, champion?
“What a feeling! This takes me back to 2005. I don’t know what to say. My body is on fire right now. " - Glen Boss
“He is quality. I galloped him last week. He gave me goosebumps last week, and today he has given me electric shocks. I couldn’t believe the electronic turn of speed he showed.
“I was wary of these great sprinters, you can’t give them too much of a start. He flew. When I asked him, his turn of speed was of Group 1 quality only. Jeez, he sprinted quickly. His sectionals will say that he did.
“That is an experience. That is a hell of an experience.”
A jubilant Glen Boss aboard Yes Yes Yes
Plenty of credit among beaten runners
Santa Ana lane’s jockey Mark Zahra was delighted with his mount’s gallant runner-up performance.
“He went super,” he said. “The winner surprised me a bit, how quickly it went. With the weight, he put a little break on me. He ran really gallant, my guy, but I just couldn’t reel him in.”
The third placegetter was Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}), backing up from his “win and you’re in” victory in last Saturday’s G2 Schillaci S. at Caulfield.
“That was so much fun,” jockey Josh Parr said. “He ran really well – well done to the team, they prepared him in fantastic order. I’m really excited, and I didn’t even win the race.”
Nature Strip and Pierata (Pierro) were the next two, with Classique Legend (Not a Single Doubt) sixth after an interrupted run.
“I was pretty luckless,” Classique Legend’s jockey Nash Rawiller said. “I never got a run at all when I needed it. I was in a beautiful spot down the back. When Hughie (Bowman, on Alizee) came up outside me, it was too soon to come out and they were sort of pushing from the inside out. So I rode for luck, as you would, and I just didn’t get any.”
It was a similar story with the favourite Arcadia Queen (Pierro), who finished second-last, while the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ten Sovereigns was disappointing in tailing the field home.
“I was rapt with the way she presented,” said James McDonald, who rode Arcadia Queen. “She jumped well and got into a lovely position. I got a severe check at about the 300-metre mark and that put her out of business. Obviously she is a mare that needs a bit of space to wind into her race.”
