Joe Pride has experienced just about every emotion possible on Everest day.

The Warwick Farm trainer has ridden the rollercoaster of placings with Private Eye and Eduardo to the pressure of expectation, then relief and joy in 2023 when Think About It won the $20 million showpiece. He then had fear – and ultimately relief, when Think About It collapsed the following year in the consolation race, the Sydney Stakes, only to recover and walk away to retirement.

On Saturday, Pride is relishing the chance to fly under the radar with a team of underdogs in the main races. Mazu, the last horse picked, was a $126 (Sportsbet) chance for The Everest (1200m), Ceolwulf was $10 for his title defence in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m), while Golden Mile ($8), Coal Crusher ($31) and Drago

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