UK racing pundit Matt Chapman has taken aim at the credibility of the Everest.
Chapman believes the 1200m feature hasn't gained traction in Europe, saying the $15m race hasn't captured the world's imagination.
Speaking days out from the race, Chapman didn't hold back in his analysis.
“The Everest has never caught the attention of I don’t believe anyone,” Chapman told Giddy Up with Gareth Hall.
“The Everest obviously is an incredibly valuable race, but I really don’t think it has captured the world’s imagination in any way whatsoever.
“One of the reasons for that, and it’s an admirable reason in being that no one thinks we can beat the Australian sprinters.
“I mean why are we going to come down there against Nature Strip and the like, we’re not going to beat any of these types of horses are we?"
“We couldn’t get within a distance of Nature Strip on home ground, so what chance are we going to have around the bend in the Everest?”
“It’s basically a waste of time for us and of course if it is a waste of time as far as international competition is concerned, then the race is not going to have any meaning to anyone else.
“I appreciate that no one is going to do it, but that is why I would love to see Nature Strip in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint because we all know that Nature Strip will probably go and win or at least finish in the first three at the very least in the Everest.
“I’m pretty sure the owners of Nature Strip don’t need that horse really to win them any more money, I mean how much money do you need.
“So why not do something that people don’t do and why not go to America or try to conquer the Breeders’ Cup Sprint?
“Unless it depends if it is all about money, which effectively what connections of Nature Strip must be saying it is.”
TAKE A LISTEN TO THE FULL CHAT👇