Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising has arrived in Sydney ahead of the $20 million The Everest (1200m), with trainer David Hayes declaring the gelding in superb condition despite shedding some weight on the flight.
After a light piece of work at Canterbury on Thursday morning, Hayes confirmed the star sprinter had settled quickly into his new surroundings.
“He’s in great order. He’s got some new shoes on, he’s settled in and he’s enjoying having a pick of the grass outside his stable,” Hayes said.
“He did lose twenty-two pounds – if the scales are correct and they’re calibrated the same because the Hong Kong scales may be different.
“But the most important thing is he’s eating his feed, he’s drinking and there’s a consistent weight in Australia. I’m not concerned about his weight. He is carrying terrific condition.”
Ka Ying Rising has won 14 of his 16 career starts, including his past 13 in succession, and is the firm favourite for the Everest on October 18 at Randwick.
Hayes will be on hand for the sprinter’s barrier trial at Randwick on October 7, a key hit-out before race day.
“He’s working on his own all the time in quarantine and that will be a bit of competitive company to trial against,” Hayes said.
“He won’t be out to break records but we will certainly let him increase the last 200 metres in the trial to stretch his legs out. That’s a very important day for him.”
The trainer has also been monitoring rivals, noting Joliestar’s win in The Shorts (1100m) and Lady Shenandoah’s luckless effort in the Concorde Stakes (1000m). Still, Hayes is confident his gelding deserves to be the race’s No.1 seed.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park but I’d say if his ratings are any guide, they all need to probably improve on their current ratings to beat him,” he said.
Should Ka Ying Rising stretch his winning streak to 14, Hayes says a return trip in 2026 will be strongly considered.
“With that huge quarantine that he’s going through, probably if it worked I’d repeat next year and put him on a similar path,” he said.
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