David Hayes has seen Ka Ying Rising trial better, Zac Purton felt the horse laboured in the soft ground.
But never trainer or jockey were concerned after Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising was beaten by Ninja in a 1000m barrier trial on the Royal Randwick course proper this morning.
Ka Ying Rising, the world’s best racehorse, bounded out of the gates and quickly crossed in front of his rivals to lead the trial with Ninja his immediate pursuer.
Purton kept Ka Ying Rising under a tight rein for most of the trial although he became more urgent for a couple of strides in the straight as Ninja drew alongside the champion and edged to the front near the line.
Hayes felt the soft 7 track rating and the length of the grass wide-out on the course proper contributed to Ka Ying Rising’s narrow loss.
“I have seen him trial better,” the Hall of Fame trainer said.
“But the way the track was, the longer grass and the soft ground wasn’t in his favour.
“I noticed he didn’t change legs (in the straight), that’s always an indicator he’s going pretty easy.
“When Zac puts him under a bit of pressure he changes legs and finds a lot. It’s a pass mark today – but not exciting.”
Everest-bound Ninja, ridden by Tommy Berry, edged in front of Ka Ying Rising near the line to win the trial in 59.46s.
Other Everest contenders, Joliestar, Headwall and Angel Capital finished just behind the placegetters.
The trial result didn’t change Everest betting with TAB Fixed Odds rating Ka Ying Rising the $1.30 favourite ahead of Tempted at $6, with Joliestar at $18, Ninja $21, Headwall $26 and Angel Capital $34.
Purton said Ka Ying Rising “needed the hit-out” as the champion sprinter has done too well since arriving at the Canterbury quarantine and training facility two weeks ago.
“He pulled up having a bigger blow than what he did from his race recently,” Purton said.
“But the softer ground, the time between runs, it gets him back into his routine, gets him familiar with what’s going on here and we saw last year how much that helped him on raceday.”
Ka Ying Rising was also beaten in his Randwick trial last year – finishing third to Overpass- but he was still too good for his rivals in The Everest next start.
Purton is convinced Ka Ying Rising is an even better sprinter now than he was 12 months ago but conceded he wants a firm track for the big race.
“I’d prefer him to be on top of the ground, he likes it when it’s a hard and fast deck,” Purton said.
“As we’ve seen in the trial, and the trial last year, he seems to labour in the softer ground. Let’s hope the sun comes out and stays out.”
Hayes and Purton also agreed on the horse to beat in The Everest as both men were taken by Godolphin mare Tempted’s brilliant Premiere Stakes win last Saturday.
“Tempted could not have had a better lead-up race, I think her win was exceptional,” Hayes said.
“You know she will handle the conditions, she loves Randwick, and she’s a legitimate danger.
“She hasn’t lost since The Everest last year but our horse hasn’t lost, either.”
Purton also noted the dominance of Tempted’s last start win.
“She was brilliant the other day, the turn of foot was incredible,” Purton said.
“She’s going to be hard to beat. She looks like she has improved, I think we have improved a bit as well.
“It’s going to be a strong race, people have been downplaying it and saying there’s not much there. But history tells us it’s the strongest sprint race on the calendar.”
