David Hayes’ time in Sydney with Ka Ying Rising has been far from stress-free but he had little to worry about at Tuesday night’s barrier draw, where his champion sprinter came up with barrier seven for this Saturday’s $20 million The Everest at Randwick.
The Hall of Fame trainer said he was ‘happy’ with the five-year-old’s starting position in the 12-horse field, splitting the other early speed influences Mazu (two) and Overpass (nine).
“I’m happy,” Hayes said when asked his thoughts minutes after the draw, which took place in the form of a drone light show on Sydney Harbour.
“I just thought anywhere not the complete outside, of course, (was preferable) because it’s always more difficult out there.
“I think Zac (Purton, jockey) can choose whether he goes right forward or follows what could be the frantic pace.
“Zac will jump fast for sure and if the pace is hectic, he’ll back out of it – some of his best wins have been sitting off the pace, his most impressive wins probably win have been sitting off – 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.”
Bookmakers tightened Ka Ying Rising into $1.60 post-draw, after hovering between $1.70 and $1.75 following Sunday’s controversy when he was the victim of a social media hoax that declared he was in doubt for the race.
Hayes was quick to quash those rumours and said Ka Ying Rising was a different horse to the one that finished third behind Linebacker and Overpass in a Randwick trial on Tuesday last week.
“He was quite above himself in the trial, but that trial has brought him back to a nice, calm level and his weight’s dropped beautifully and I think we’ve got him where we want him.”
Ka Ying Rising will be flanked at the start by Lady Shenandoah and Jedibeel, who drew barriers six and eight respectively.
Tempted (one), Angel Capital (three), War Machine (four) and Joliestar (six) are the others who will start inside Ka Ying Rising in Saturday’s race.
T J Smith Stakes winner Briasa will start from barrier 10, with dual Group 1 winner Jimmysstar (11) and Magic Time (12) the two to his outside.
2025 THE EVEREST BARRIER DRAW
