Hall Of Fame trainer David Hayes insists Ka Ying Rising is spot on for his tilt at Saturday’s G1 The Everest at Randwick, after the Hong Kong superstar on Monday completed his final piece of work ahead of the $20 million sprint.
Ka Ying Rising was put through his paces at Canterbury on Monday morning, with Hayes declaring the five-year-old, who has dominated betting for The Everest for months, ‘ready to rumble’.
“We’re really happy with him. He just went out on the beautiful Canterbury track this morning and ran home (his last 600m) in 38 (seconds) under a nice hold. His recovery was excellent,” Hayes told reporters.
“I think he’s ready to rumble.
“He’s the made the progression we thought he would and we’re really expecting a bold showing.”
Ka Ying Rising had his final pre-race trial at Randwick last Tuesday. The gelding’s jockey Zac Purton, who flew in from Hong Kong for the trial, gave a candid assessment of the hit out.
‘’The track was a little bit soft for him. He was grinding through the ground a bit. Pass mark, needs to improve.,” the Australian rider said.
Hayes on Monday said last week’s trial was exactly what Ka Ying Rising needed.
“I think he’s really improved from that trial. The idea of the trial was to bring him on and I think it has,” said Hayes.
“We’re really happy with him.”
FAKE NEWS
Racing’s rumour mill was in overdrive across the weekend with suggestions all was not well with the four-time Group 1 winner. In fact, there was speculation that Ka Ying Rising may even be scratched from the race.
On the back of the rumours, Ka Ying Rising drifted considerably in local fixed-odds markets while rivals shortened. The noise even prompted TAB to at one stage suspend betting on the race.
When asked about the drama, Hayes said he was dumbfounded.
“I got a call yesterday at lunchtime from JD, my son; (racing broadcaster) Gareth Hall had rung him and said his Twitter account had been hacked and it had sent out some false information, which basically had him scratched,” Hayes explained.
“Apparently, he was lame behind and not eating. That’s not the horse I’ve been training, anyway.
“The phone went into meltdown for about six hours.
“To use a Donald ‘Trumpism’, it’s fake news.”
OUT OF THEIR HANDS
Two factors Hayes and connections can’t control are the weather and barrier draw. Part of Purton’s feedback on Tuesday was that the track was ‘ a little bit soft for him’. It looks as though Ka Ying Rising will get his preferred conditions on Saturday, with Sydney’s weather forecast looking pleasing for the most part.
Regarding the draw, Hayes is hoping for an inside alley.
“I think as close to the rail as possible. That would be best.
“In Hong Kong, they jump and really go hard because they’ve only got 200 metres to the turn, in Sydney they’ve got a nice 600-700-metre run. The tempo is not quite as hectic, so the barrier is not so important for him. He’s got incredible gate speed and he’s got the ability to take a sit, so he’s pretty foolproof.
“If the pace is fast, Zac will sit third, if the pace is slow, he will lead.”
WHAT HAPPENED ON BETFAIR?
Racing.com chatted to Betfair to see how the day unfolded. Here is a timeline of events.
SUNDAY
10am – KA YING RISING $1.80
11am – Market liquidity increases with rumours. Volume on KA YING RISING on the rise and price starts to drift.
12.30pm – KA YING RISING hits $2. Volume minimal.
2.21pm – Betfair punter, Jackson Oldham puts up $1650 liability on KA YING RISING at $2.10
3pm – KA YING RISING continues to drift.
7.30pm – KA YING RISING hits high of $2.60 with $5,086 matched between $2.40 and $2.60.
8pm – Bookmakers suspend betting.
8.18pm – Hong Kong Racing Journalist confirms all okay with KA YING RISING
9.24pm – Gareth Hall confirms he has spoken with trainer David Hayes
KA YING RISING firms from $2.60 High to a low of around $1.90.
MONDAY
KA YING RISING’S last traded price: $1.83.
FACTS (as at 10am Monday )
Antepost Everest Market Total Matched Volume: $250,447.28
$96,251 Matched on KA YING RISING at $2+
$51,023 Matched on KA YING RISING between $2.10 to $2.60 on Sunday
KEY RUNNERS
JIMMYSSTAR – Firmed into as low as $4.00 with $531 traded at this price. High: $85 earlier in betting.
JOLIESTAR – $100 matched at a low of $5.3 with $670 between $6.00 and $5.30. High: $32 earlier in betting.
BRIASA – $140 traded at a low of $5.50. High: $27.00
LADY SHENANDOAH – Low of $6 with $542 traded at or below $7. High: 32