The 12 runners are known, and the Everest barrier draw has been made

The 12 horses and barriers are now known for the 2023 running of The Everest on Saturday at Royal Randwick.

The second favourite has drawn the inside barrier, but will that be a positive or a negative for I Wish I Win? The horse racing betting sites will be fascinating to watch for market moves between now and Saturday as the market takes shape.

With only 1200m separating the 12 runners in the 2023 Everest from a place in history, the importance of the barrier they are drawn in is huge. So far, 1, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 have been the winning barriers in the six renewals. This is a small sample size, but an inside half draw is a big plus on the limited evidence. 

Inside Barriers

1 - I Wish I Win: The second favourite has the innermost barrier, but this could be a problem for a hold-up performer rather than a plus. Still needs tremendous respect, given his talent.

2 - Overpass: Looks to be the central pace angle here. He has the perfect barrier to attack from early, but the big concern is that he is 0/8 when he has raced at Randwick.

3 - Espiona: Two strong performances this preparation, only taking on her own sex in both. In against the boys here, and the drop to 1200m might not be ideal. She needs to put on pressure early from this draw. 

4 - Cylinder: The lowest rated in the contest by quite some margin but gets 5.5kg from the main protagonists as a three-year-old. Both Yes Yes Yes and Giga Kick won this at the same age and has a nice slot in 4.

Middle Barriers 

5 - Think About It: Heads the betting and has an excellent barrier to work from. He was beaten a single time in his career in 11 starts, so it is no surprise that he has been the subject of plenty of support. Has to have a strong chance.

6 - Shinzo: One of two three-year-olds in the lineup. He was far below his best in the Golden Rose last time when returning lame. He won the Golden Slipper in March, a big player on that form from a middle barrier.

7 - Alcohol Free: Yet to get close to her European form in two starts in Australia. She has a Group 1 win over 1200m in England. A middle draw is fine, and you write off the Gai Waterhouse team at your peril.

8 - Buenos Noches: Improving type has only had nine runs. A close third in The Shorts, where things didn’t fall his way. Barrier wider than ideal, but he has all the marks of a tempting roughie.

Wide Barriers

9 - Private Eye: Beat five of these when landing The Shorts over 1100m at this track in September. Had to hang tough from the same barrier in 9 that day, so knows what it takes to win from this wide.

10 - Hawaii Five Oh: Beaten by five of these in The Shorts but stepped up markedly on that form when a close second in the Premiere behind Think About It. Looked like beating that rival but was outbattled. Wide barrier a concern.

11 - Mazu: More than 500 days since he last won, his general level of form would give him a shout, but the wide barrier and his run in The Shorts tempers confidence.

12 - In Secret: Drawn widest of all looks a concern for the winner of the Group 1 Newmarket back in March. Generally, a progressive mare has strong form, but the draw is rough.

This looks like a renewal that could potentially launch a new sprinting star. There is no shortage of runners with a chance here - it looks like a tough race to pick the winner from. Think About It has a nice barrier and deserves to be favourite, while Buenos Noches appeals as a roughie.