Ciaron Maher‘s brilliant The Everest winning mare Bella Nipotina looks set to see out her sensational spring a winner when she lines-up as the favourite in Sydney’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Formerly known as the Winners Stakes and renamed each year after the previous spring’s The Everest champion, the 2024 Russell Balding Stakes has a new title, and it is this year’s winner of the world’s richest turf race who sits top of the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Bella Nipotina entered the history books as the first ever The Everest winning mare and gets the chance to salute for the punters now as the $2.60 top elect in Russell Balding Stakes betting.

She’s drawn a treat in barrier four with Craig Williams retaining the ride with the duo looking to go back-to-back after their success in the same race last year.

If successful, Bella Nipotina will become the race’s first two-time champion, and the punters are behind her to do so.

The danger occupying the second line of betting at $5 is fellow mare Sunshine In Paris racing for Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.

The bonny Invader five-year-old presents fit third-up after a win fresh in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes and last The Everest fifth in a blanket finish when only 1.5 lengths off Bella.

Something of a Rosehill specialist having won two from three at the track and placing second in the other, Sunshine In Paris could be able to turn the tables from gate nine with Tommy Berry aboard.

In an open top half of betting a further three runners are at single figure Russell Balding Stakes odds including the Joe Pride-trained Private Eye ($6.50) drawn the rails with Jay Ford in the saddle.

A dual The Everest placegetter in 2022 and 2023, the now seven-year-old son of Al Maher was sixth in this year’s race without losing face under two lengths off the winner.

He will appreciate the 1300m having a sensational strike rate at the distance (8:4-1-1) and boasts a great record in this event.

Private Eye won the Winners Stakes in 2022 and was runner-up last year in a run full of merit.

Completing the hopes under double figures for the win this weekend on Golden Eagle Day are Maher’s other mare I Am Me ($8.50) out to atone for her The Everest 10th placing and the Peter Snowden-trained King Of Sparta ($9) second-up after a fourth in the Sydnye Stakes fresh with Joao Moriera riding on Saturday.

The early Russell Balding Stakes market mover meanwhile backed in from $12 to $10 is Mazu also representing Pride.

The 2024 Russell Balding Stakes is set to run as Rosehill Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT).

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