A wide draw brought Briasa undone in The Galaxy but regular jockey Tyler Schiller has no fears of a repeat despite drawing gate 10 for his clash with Hong Kong sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising in The Everest at Randwick.
Briasa went back to last from the outside barrier in The Galaxy and conceded too great a start before rattling to the line for fourth.
However, Schiller said there was a key factor that would be different on Saturday.
“He’s into his preparation this time, he’s not first-up, so I have no fears about using him a bit early to be in his position,” Schiller said.
“The closer he can be the better. Hopefully not absorbing all the pressure but somewhere around the mark where he can strike.”
Briasa is a two-time winner over the Everest (1200m) course and distance, capturing the TJ Smith Stakes in the autumn and Premiere Stakes last start.
In contrast, Ka Ying Rising’s only experience at Randwick was a recent barrier trial defeat, although the five-year-old hasn’t been beaten in Hong Kong since January last year and has won his past 13 starts in succession.
It has earned him the ranking as the world’s best racehorse but as Schiller points out, Ka Ying Rising still needs to prove he can bring that form to Australia.
“He is definitely beatable,” Schiller said.
“It’s just whether he gets in his comfort zone or not, whether he loves the track, the conditions, pressure from the other speed horses.
“He is the top-rated sprinter in the world so it’s hard to go past him and he’s going to be hard to get past.”
Ka Ying Rising has dominated Everest markets for months and remains a popular favourite at $1.70 with Briasa a $16 chance.
However, Schiller has complete faith in his mount, who he has ridden in nine of his 12 starts, six of those wins.
“He’s flying,” Schiller said.
“He blew out a bit first-up but second-up I didn’t feel any signs of weakness. He felt like he was still powering through the line.
“He is a one-of-a-kind horse and I’m glad to be the one on him.”
