The NZB Kiwi or Funny trophy race whatever it's called is appearing to be an absolute yawn fest, any race dependent on the prize money alone to focus most interest in it , is going to struggle to capture the imagination.
The beauty of the Everest as you have so succinctly put it is you get to know the horses & can follow their path there, this NZB kiwi half of us don't have a clue who is going there. Not to mention the Everest are the Superstars of the sport.