Ka Ying Rising backed to defend Everest crown despite jockey raising going concerns ahead of A$20 million sprint

David Hayes has dismissed concerns voiced by regular jockey Zac Purton that Ka Ying Rising could struggle to show his best if conditions come up soft in Saturday’s A$20 million Group 1 The Everest at Randwick.

The world’s highest-rated horse, labelled a “freak of nature” by Hayes, completed his preparation for The Everest by breezing over 5f at Canterbury racecourse on Monday.

The trainer said: “He had a nice, long, steady canter to warm up and then he quickened from the 600 metres and was rolling down the straight. The riding boy was very happy, and what I was particularly happy with was the recovery.

Ka Ying Rising (left) took part in a barrier trial at Randwick last weekCredit: Jeremy Ng (Getty Images)

“He had an easier gallop going into the trial, but what the trial has done has got him back into game-day mode and that was his strongest piece.”

Ka Ying Rising participated in a barrier trial over 5f at Randwick last week with some observers querying the performance, including Purton, who has ridden the superstar sprinter throughout his career.

The trial took place on easy ground, whereas the the going at Randwick was rated as good on Monday. However, rain is forecast for much of the week in Sydney.

Zac Purton: expressed uncertainty about soft ground for Ka Ying RisingCredit: Aitor Alcalde (Getty Images)

Hayes said: “Zac has a query on an Aussie wet, but I don’t. I’m not worried. I think the other day Zac thought he laboured a little bit in the trial; I think that was fitness and having a good look around, and it was his first hit-out in five weeks.

“Zac has given himself a bit of wiggle room, but when I bought him, I saw him win a trial on heavy ground. It was only a trial but he looked pretty good, so I bought him.”

Ka Ying Rising is attempting to extend his winning streak to 22 races and land a tenth Group 1 in The Everest, with Hayes confident that his runner will be too strong for the opposition.

David Hayes: "He’s a generational horse"Credit: Jeremy Ng (Getty Images)

“We probably need to have a bad day, and they [Saturday’s opposition] have a very good day to beat him,” the trainer said. “He’s a freak of nature. He’s a generational horse. Five times he’s broken the Sha Tin track record; I’ve never seen that before. Especially eased down.

“I never thought I would see a sprinter as good as Black Caviar until this horse came along. So, he’s in rare air at the moment. You can have your opinion on who's better, that’s not the point, but he’s as good as her anyway, I think.”

The Everest (Randwick, Saturday)William Hill: 2-5 Ka Ying Rising, 9-2 Tempted, 16 Jimmysstar, Joliestar, 20 Ninja, 33 Angel Capital, 66 bar.

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