The A$20 million race favourite was edged out by Ninja, but his trainer and jockey expect him to improve.
Ka Ying Rising finished second to Ninja in a 1000-metre barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, 11 days before the $20 million Everest. The six-year-old gelding, ridden by Zac Purton, led the seven-horse field before Ninja, trained by Michael Freedman, edged ahead by a long head. The trial was run on a soft 7 track and neither horse was asked for a major effort, trainer David Hayes said.
Ka Ying Rising remains the $1.30 TAB favourite for the 1200-metre race on October 17. Ninja’s price shortened from $26 to $21. The Hong Kong sprinter, who has earned $30 million, is chasing a 22nd consecutive win. Last year he finished third in the Everest trial on a good 4 surface, then won the race by 1¼ lengths 11 days later.
Hayes rated Tuesday’s run “eight out of 10” and said the trial pace was about five seconds slower than race speed. He said the longer grass and soft going did not suit the horse, who also did not change leads in the straight. Hayes called it a pass mark but said he had seen Ka Ying Rising trial better.
Purton said the horse could improve after blowing hard following the trial. He also said Ka Ying Rising was calmer in the build-up this year than last year, when Hayes recalled that the horse had become unsettled in the tie-up stalls.
An estimated 1,500 people came to Randwick to see the champion. Spectators filmed him, sought photos and autographs with Hayes and Purton, and the jockey gave away five signed Ka Ying Rising jackets. Some fans had driven from Wollongong in suits matching the horse’s colours. Savvy Hallie joined the Everest field on Monday. Blue Door, Headwall and Spicy Martini are also confirmed runners.