'In great order': Ka Ying Rising trainer dismisses fitness 'fake news' as Everest favourite quells concerns with gallop
Updated . First published at
A speculative frenzy erupted Sunday night after a major betting market on The Everest was suspended, adding to concerns over the fitness of odds-on favourite and Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising.
TAB fixed odds briefly suspended betting on The Everest on Sunday, sending social media into a meltdown.
However, the world's best sprinter is now back as the dominant favourite for the $20 million race at Randwick on Saturday, with his odds expected to shorten further on race day.
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Ka Ying Rising in full flight: The star gelding puts in a strong trackwork session as preparations for the TAB Everest continue. Jason McCawley via getty Images
Following the market suspension, the odds for homegrown sprinters Joliestar and Jimmystar suddenly halved for the 1200-metre feature.
The racing rumour mill has been in overdrive ever since last Friday's barrier trial at Randwick, where Ka Ying Rising appeared to struggle while running third, despite being held by jockey Zac Purton.
However, the champion quelled concerns with a rousing gallop at Canterbury on Monday morning, showing no signs of any issues in its final hit-out.
Addressing media after the solo workout, trainer, Australian David Hayes, dismissed speculation that his horse could be scratched from The Everest.
"I don't know where the rumours started, but to use a 'Trumpism', it is all fake news,'' he said.
"After trackwork yesterday, I rang my wife and I told her the horse is as good as I can get him.
David Hayes, trainer of Ka Ying Rising, speaks to Australian media at Canterbury Park Racecourse. Jason McCawley via getty Images
"But then, a few hours later, I started getting phone calls that there was something wrong with the horse and he would be scratched.
"It was laughable because he's in great order. He has just gone 600m in 38s on the track this morning and did it easily.
"I'm very confident we have him at his best, and it will take a good horse to beat him on Saturday.''
Fresh off Autumn Boy's victory in the Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, Sydney trainer Chris Waller will have three runners in The Everest: Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah.
"It's an amazing race," he told Nine's Today on Monday.
"It's 1200 metres, so it's complete speed, it's the best horses from around the world."
Ka Ying Rising is the shortest-priced favourite in The Everest's nine-year history.
His odds have been as low as $1.50 and are consistently below the $1.70 mark, which is shorter than previous dominant favourites like Nature Strip in 2022.
"Ka Ying Rising from Hong Kong, he's a superstar. He's the highest rated sprinter in the world at the moment, so we've got to lower his colours on Saturday afternoon," Waller said.
Ka Ying Rising heads into The Everest following overwhelming dominance in Hong Kong.