Jockey admits concern for world’s best horse after Everest warm-up
Updated . First published at
Champion jockey Zac Purton has admitted concerns for superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising after his last barrier trial before The Everest.
Last year’s Everest winner, who has won 22 of 24 career starts including nine at Group 1 level, was the star of the show at Royal Randwick on Tuesday morning.
Zac Purton on board Ka Ying Rising. Getty Images
However, it was Ninja who crossed the line first over 1000 metres, as some of the world’s best short-distance runners ramp up preparations for the $20 million race.
Ka Ying Rising, who predominantly races in Hong Kong, has been installed as the extremely short $1.35 favourite with bookmakers to go back-to-back, but Purton admitted the potential for soft ground could be a slight issue.
“Of course there’s concern,” the rider told SEN Track.
“He was a bit similar to last year, he pulled up having a really big blow. It was a slightly better trial compared to last year, but he really does labour in that ground.
“We need him to stop eating grass ... [trainer] David Hayes keeps telling me he loves it and I keep saying that he’s a racehorse not a pet.
“I’ve been trying to tell him for the past two years he doesn’t like wet ground, but he’s not convinced.”
Hayes conceded after the trial that the soft surface wasn’t exactly what Ka Ying Rising was after, but said he was “happier this year” compared to 2025.
“I think the longer grass and the soft surface was not ideal,” he told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the tune-up race.
“He got into a nice rhythm; he had a good healthy blow and a good sweat. I was happier this year than last year.”
Among the other runners in the 1200m spring carnival feature will be Ninja, Savvy Hallie, Headwall, Spicy Martini and Blue Door, who have all been confirmed by slot holders, while Jimmysstar and Joliestar are also expected to run.
But perhaps the biggest danger to Purton and Hayes’ tilt at a second-straight Everest triumph is four-year-old Godolphin sprinter Tempted, who dominated last weekend in Group 2 Premiere Stakes on a soft track at Randwick.
“Of course we are scared of Tempted, it’s a very strong race ... hopefully we get a dryer track on raceday,” Purton said.
