David Hayes has labelled Ka Ying Rising’s barrier draw of gate seven “perfect” as the world’s top-rated sprinter attempts to win the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday (18 October).
In a spectacular drone show on Sydney Harbour, Ka Ying Rising was the first horse to have its barrier revealed, prompting a positive and unequivocal reaction from Hayes, who said jockey Zac Purton will have options from the gate.
“Perfect. Anywhere from (barrier) four to eight, I was going to be happy with and we got there,” Hayes said. “(He can) jump fast and get a good position – that’s a good barrier.
“I think Zac can choose whether he goes right forward or follows what could be the frantic pace.
“Zac will jump fast, for sure, and if the pace is hectic, he’ll back out of it. Some of his most impressive wins have been sitting off the pace. But if they miss the start and don’t go fast, he’ll lead – he’s that sort of horse and Zac’s that sort of jockey.”
Chasing the winner’s purse of AU$7 million (approx. HK$35.5 million), Ka Ying Rising will attempt to become the first horse to win the world’s richest turf race from gate seven.
In the eight runnings of The Everest so far, barrier five has been the most successful with two victories, while gates one, four, six, nine, 10 and 12 have provided one winner each.
Hayes is confident Ka Ying Rising is continuing to improve since his third behind Overpass in last week’s 1000m barrier trial and was delighted by the five-year-old’s fast work on Monday (13 October) as he bids to become Hong Kong, China’s first winner of The Everest.
“He’s in really good form, I’m very happy with him,” Hayes said.
Ka Ying Rising’s main rivals in The Everest enjoyed contrasting fates, with Joliestar drawing gate five alongside Lady Shenandoah (six), but Briasa (gate 10) and Jimmysstar (barrier 11) drew wider than preferred.
The other allocated gates for the remainder of The Everest are: Tempted (barrier one), Mazu (two), Angel Capital (three), War Machine (four), Jedibeel (eight), Overpass (nine) and Magic Time (12).
Hayes said Ka Ying Rising would follow a familiar low-intensity preparation pattern for the rest of the week as his five-year-old star bids for a 14th successive win and fifth Group 1 victory.