Ka Ying Rising Faces Joliestar In Everest Showdown
Hong Kong Champion Bids For Historic International Triumph
Ka Ying Rising will attempt to achieve what no Hong Kong horse has ever accomplished when he tackles the A$20 million (USD 13.2 million) Gr.1 The Everest, facing a formidable local challenge spearheaded by Joliestar and Briasa. The David Hayes trained gelding, owned by Mr Leung Shek Kong of the Ka Ying Syndicate, arrives at Royal Randwick on the back of thirteen consecutive victories compiled in Hong Kong, whilst Chris Waller is seeking his third triumph in the Group One spectacle with Joliestar, having previously won with Yes Yes Yes and Nature Strip. Michael Hawkes, training in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, believes Briasa can foil the international challenge after his spectacular Gr.2 Premiere victory.
The prospect of Hong Kong, China's first winner of the A$20 million spectacle has captured global imagination, with the race to be broadcast on DAZN and Fox Sports 1 in the USA, potentially reaching an audience of 560 million viewers across more than 200 countries and territories. The ninth running of the world's richest turf race has attracted the strongest field in its history, with 19 Group One wins and over A$52 million (USD 34.3 million) in collective prizemoney amongst the twelve contenders.
Almost 60 per cent of the expected 50,000 crowd will be aged under 26, making it the youngest audience in Sydney racing history. Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V'landys said the new broadcast reach reflected the growing global stature of the race as it welcomes its most significant international challenger.
"The Everest has always sought to innovate racing and reach new audiences and this partnership with DAZN and Fox Sports allows us to do that on an unprecedented scale," he said. "We only need to get a fraction of the available audience to break all records for Australian racing."
Hong Kong's Champion Draws Perfect Barrier
A spectacular drone show over Sydney Harbour revealed Ka Ying Rising would jump from barrier seven, prompting an enthusiastic reaction from Hayes, who described the draw as perfect for the world's top rated sprinter.
"Perfect. Anywhere from 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."
The Hong Kong champion has dominated pre race discussions after compiling record breaking performances over 1200m at Sha Tin during his remarkable thirteen race winning streak. His presence represents a watershed moment for Australian racing as the nation's richest sprint prize attracts its most credentialed international challenger. 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 5YO's fast work on Monday as he bids for a fourteenth successive win and fifth Group One victory.
"He's in really good form, I'm very happy with him," Hayes said. Ka Ying Rising will follow a familiar low intensity preparation pattern for the rest of the week as Zac Purton prepares to partner him in his bid for defining international success that would cement Hong Kong's status as a major force in world sprint racing.
"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," Hayes explained. "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."
In the eight runnings of the race so far, barrier five has been the most successful with two victories, whilst gates one, four, six, nine, ten and twelve have provided one winner each. No horse has yet won from barrier seven, adding another layer of intrigue to Ka Ying Rising's historic attempt.
Joliestar Seeks Redemption From Ideal Draw
Waller has a healthy respect for the Hayes trained gelding and says his presence is wonderful for the sport whilst also making him an appealing target for Australia's best sprinters. The champion trainer prepares a three strong squad for the A$20 million spectacle, led by Joliestar who was luckless in the corresponding race twelve months ago.
"He's got to bring that overseas rating to Australia. If he does, it's great for Sydney racing, Australian racing," Waller said. "If he doesn't win, I hope he runs second, and we've got a new world champion."
Joliestar was shuffled back to last on the home turn before flashing home late to be beaten just over one and a half lengths by winner Bella Nipotina last year. The mare arrives having subsequently added Group One wins in the Newmarket Handicap over 1200m and Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300m.
"Right after James got off her last year, he said we were very stiff. We should have gone closer," Waller said. "It hasn't so much been about redemption, it's about giving her a second chance. Fortunately, we've got a horse we think is more mature now. Not that she wasn't last year but she begins well, she puts herself in the race. She is versatile, as we saw first up when she sat four wide."
James McDonald will have the chance to right his Gr.1 The Everest ledger aboard Joliestar from barrier five, the most successful gate in the race's history. "The key is she's a good horse. Let her use her stride and she'll be there at the finish," Waller said.
Waller will also be represented by Coolmore Classic winner Lady Shenandoah from barrier six and Angel Capital from barrier three. Lady Shenandoah was desperately unlucky when second in the Concorde over 1000m first up before finishing fourth in the Manikato over 1200m at Moonee Valley.
"Her first up run was excellent and she had no luck in the Manikato," Waller said. "She does have the x factor." Damian Lane takes the mount on a mare capable of causing an upset against the vaunted international visitor.
Angel Capital put the writing on the wall with a slashing and luckless fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke last start. The winner of five of his nine starts is yet to triumph at the highest level but Waller figures it will be a matter of time.
"Everyone that has got anything to do with the horse has got full confidence he's a big deal," he said. "We're just waiting for him to put it all together on the big stage." Ben Melham rides the entire who could breakthrough when it matters most.
Briasa Ready To Peak At Right Time
Hawkes welcomes Ka Ying Rising's presence but insists it is not a one horse race despite the Hong Kong champion's credentials. Their charge Briasa drew barrier ten but comes into the race off a spectacular last start victory in the Gr.2 Premiere over 1200m, the gelding's second course and distance win.
"It's never been a one horse race in our opinion and we've just got him peaking right on the day," Hawkes said of Briasa. "We believe that we've always had the right horse for the race, we've believed in this horse since day one. He's going to be peaking, he worked amazing on Tuesday morning and he just seems to be getting better and better and I don't really know where he's at, to be honest."
Hawkes acknowledged Ka Ying Rising's superstar status in Hong Kong but believes Australian racing has the depth to match the international challenge. "Ka Ying Rising is a superstar in Hong Kong. It's great for racing that he's here but we've got a job to do," Hawkes said.
Tyler Schiller rode Briasa brilliantly in the Premiere, where the speed was hot and he just came up that rise with a lapful of horse. "He's taken great benefit from that and third up was always going to be when he was going to peak, and we've always primed him for that," Hawkes added. The Premiere has produced four winners of Gr.1 The Everest, making Briasa's form line particularly relevant as he attempts to foil Hong Kong's historic bid.
Field Completed By Quality Contenders
The remainder of the field sees Jimmysstar, trained by Ciaron Maher, draw barrier eleven with Ethan Brown aboard. Maher also saddles 3YO filly Tempted from barrier one with Craig Williams riding. War Machine, trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, will jump from barrier four with Tim Clark in the saddle.
Joseph Pride has Mazu jumping from barrier two with Jason Collett, whilst Bjorn Baker sends out Overpass from barrier nine with Joshua Parr. Brad Widdup trains Jedibeel, who drew barrier eight with Kerrin McEvoy riding, and Grahame Begg has Magic Time jumping from the outside barrier twelve with Michael Dee aboard.
4YOs and up, entires and geldings have won six of the eight renewals. Last year's winner Bella Nipotina is the only one of 21 mares to have contested the race successfully, whilst thirteen 3YOs have previously run for two wins, Yes Yes Yes and Giga Kick. No 3YO filly has won the race.
Previous winning trainers that have runners this year are Chris Waller, who has won twice, and Ciaron Maher, whilst Kerrin McEvoy has won three times, Craig Williams twice and James McDonald once as successful jockeys in the race. None, however, have achieved what Hayes and Purton are bidding to accomplish for Hong Kong racing.
The track is rated a soft five with the rail in the three metre position. The race is scheduled for 4.15pm Sydney time as Race 7 on a ten race card, with the world watching to see if Hong Kong can claim its first triumph in Australia's richest sprint.
1. Ka Ying Rising (T: David Hayes / J: Zac Purton)
2. Briasa (T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes / J: Tyler Schiller)
3. Overpass (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Joshua Parr)
4. Jimmysstar (T: Ciaron Maher / J: Ethan Brown)
5. War Machine (T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes / J: Tim Clark)
6. Mazu (T: Joseph Pride / J: Jason Collett)
7. Jedibeel (T: Brad Widdup / J: Kerrin McEvoy)
8. Angel Capital (T: Chris Waller / J: Ben Melham)
9. Joliestar (T: Chris Waller / J: James McDonald)
10. Lady Shenandoah (T: Chris Waller / J: Damian Lane)
11. Magic Time (T: Grahame Begg / J: Michael Dee)
12. Tempted (T: Ciaron Maher / J: Craig Williams)
EMERGENCIES:
Iowna Merc (T: Bjorn Baker)
Generosity (T: Chris Waller)
Rothfire (T: Robert Heathcote)
Golden Mile (T: Joseph Pride)