Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising‘s trainer David Hayes has nominated Lady Shenandoah as the sprinter he fears most going into the $20m The Everest at Royal Randwick next month.
“Lady Shenandoah has been the standout so far, in my opinion,” Hayes said.
“Her run was an exceptional effort in defeat the other day (second to Headwall in the Concorde Stakes).
“Joliestar and Briasa were also very good last week (first and second in The Shorts) but I wouldn’t swap my horse for anything else in the race.”
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Hayes spoke to News Corp from typhoon-ravaged Hong Kong this week and was relieved to learn Ka Ying Rising, the world’s No.1 ranked sprinter and the $1.70 favourite with TAB for The Everest, has arrived safely in Sydney.
“We are very happy with him, he seems to be going from strength to strength,” Hayes said.
“Last year (season) when Ka Ying Rising raced his weight was between 1137 and 1140 pounds.
“But when he first-up earlier this month, he was 1150 and now he is 1164. He is bigger and stronger, and when a horse is in work and putting on weight, he is thriving.
“I think he has come back as good or better than ever after his first-up win.”
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Ka Ying Rising did some light exercise before a huge media contingent at the Canterbury quarantine and training facility on Thursday morning.
“I haven’t been to Canterbury but I know what the set-up is there and we have everything we need except a swimming pool,” Hayes said.
Ka Ying Rising at Canterbury on Thursday. Picture: Thomas Lisson
Hayes admitted Ka Ying Rising swims regularly as part of his training routine in Hong Kong but the trainer has no plans to take the champion to Mascot Beach which is used by many Sydney trainers to exercise their horses in the saltwater.
“We won’t be taking ‘Ka Ying’ to the beach – the less movement we do before The Everest the better,” Hayes said.
“The only time I plan to take the horse away from Canterbury before The Everest is for the barrier trial at Randwick on October 7.”
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Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising will get a look at the Randwick course proper in the 1000m trial which will be reserved for those horses running in The Everest and King Charles III Stakes on October 18.
Some of the big names likely to contest the trial include Joliestar (Everest), Fangirl (King Charles) and Mr Brightside (King Charles).
Hayes confirmed regular rider Zac Purton will join him at Randwick for the trial which they are treating as a “dress rehearsal” for The Everest.
“It’s getting closer now, it’s becoming a reality,” Hayes said.
“I’m excited to be coming home with a runner but not just any horse.
“Ka Ying Rising is as popular horse as you will see, he has a Black Caviar-type following in Hong Kong.”