Everest only for Hong Kong star

[Wandering Eyes]

It will be a case of one and done for New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) in his Australian spring campaign, with trainer David Hayes confirming the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) will be his sole target down under.

“It’s been decided that we’ll give Ka Ying Rising one run in The Everest and then the owner is keen to concentrate on Hong Kong,” Hayes told the South China Morning Post.

“He’s avoiding the temptation of the big money in Australia. He’s decided win, lose or draw, to come back after the race.

“It’s nice to have it locked in so we can plan. The owner’s really committed to Hong Kong racing and the Hong Kong Jockey Club have been so helpful with the slot that he wants to do the right thing by the club.”

Ka Ying Rising will represent the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s slot in the October 18 showpiece at Randwick, for which he is currently a $1.90 favourite in futures markets with bookmakers.

Bred by Marton horseman Fraser Auret under his Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner, the four-year-old gelding has been an unstoppable force for Hayes in Hong Kong, winning 13 of his 15 starts in the competitive racing jurisdiction.

He is undefeated in the current term, recording eight successive victories, including the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Gr.2 Spring Cup (1200m), Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1400m), and Gr.2 Premier Bowl (1200m).

His feats on the track earned him a rating of 126, ranking the son of Shamexpress as the world’s best turf horse in the latest Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

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