While a wet week leading into a major race day would typically be a mood dampener, it has instead served as a beacon of hope for the connections of Ka Ying Rising’s rivals in The Everest.
The world’s top horse remains a commanding $1.50 favourite for Saturday’s $20 million sprint, but questions about his wet-track form have slightly diminished his aura of invincibility.
This development provides contenders such as jockey Tommy Berry, whose mount Ninja has two wins and a placing from three starts on rain-affected ground, with a tangible reason to believe the race isn’t simply a procession for the Hong Kong star.
“The beauty of the rain being around is it gives everyone a chance to dare to dream a little bit,” Berry said.
“If the track was firm, it would probably be a non-event with what he’s done in the past, but he didn’t trial his best on soft going, and he didn’t look overly comfortably.”
Berry’s opinion carries weight. He partnered Ninja in that 1000m Randwick trial, where the four-year-old progressed to draw level with and then edge past Ka Ying Rising to win the heat on a soft 7-rated track.
Although barrier trials and the pressure of a major race day are vastly different, Berry sensed that Ka Ying Rising appeared uncomfortable in the conditions. These conditions are largely unfamiliar to the gelding, as 23 of his 24 starts have been on firm tracks.
“I noticed he wasn’t overly comfortable in it,” Berry commented.
“He just wasn’t able to open the field up in that trial, which is what ‘Ka Ying’s’ best efforts are all about.
“I’m under no illusion. Wet track, dry track, he’s going to be extremely hard to beat. It just allows us to dare to dream a bit more that we’ve got a shot at finishing right up there with him.”
Ninja was the first horse selected for The Everest and will carry the hopes of the slot held by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, who shares ownership in the gelding.
Berry stresses that it is crucial for his mount to jump well from barrier three, and he is buoyed by the fact that Ninja has won over 1400m at Group level. Saturday’s running of The Everest (1200m) is anticipated to be genuinely run, with speedy filly Blue Door and Ka Ying Rising expected to push the pace.
“With Blue Door and Ka Ying, the way they like to run their races, if it’s a soft track it’s going to make it a test,” Berry stated.
“If you go through every one of my bloke’s replays, he’s never had a horse come from behind him and go past him. He’s very competitive. He’s a line chaser, and if anything comes for him, he lifts.”
Ninja represents Berry’s seventh start in The Everest, with his prior best results being a second-place finish with Masked Crusader in 2021 and a third with Osborne Bulls in 2018. Consider checking out the racing odds available on this contest.
