Ka Ying Rising emphatically confirmed his status as the world’s premier sprinter with a devastating display to win the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) on Saturday (18 October) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, delivering career-high thrills for Zac Purton and David Hayes.

Purton and Hayes both declared the win the highlight of their decorated careers as Hong Kong, China’s Ka Ying Rising (129lb) banished the doubters who questioned his temperament, spearing into history as the first overseas horse to win the world’s richest turf race, earning AU$7 million (approx. HK35.3 million) with victory over Tempted (112lb) and Jimmysstar (129lb) in 1m 08.13s.

Ridden perfectly by Purton, Ka Ying Rising enhanced his record to 15 wins from 17 starts – and extended his unbeaten streak to 14 wins, a Hong Kong sequence bettered only by fellow champions Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16), while taking his career prizemoney beyond HK$100 million.

Settling third after jumping smoothly from barrier seven, Ka Ying Rising emerged from the slipstream of leaders Mazu and Overpass to claim the lead inside the last 200m and comfortably held off his pursuers, clocking 33.62s for the last 600m.

Describing the victory as the “biggest moment of his career”, eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey Purton said Ka Ying Rising was not at his absolute best – but was still superior to the cream of Australia’s sprinters.

 “I would say probably the single biggest moment (of his career) just because of the stature the race has got now and everything that came with it. The build-up, the horse, coming from overseas, all those things – I think it was probably the single biggest moment,” Purton said.

“He got a little edgy in the gates but to his credit he still began well and we had a beautiful run in the race. Overpass skipped clear (at the top of the straight) but to my horse’s credit he got moving and chased him down and we just coasted to the line after that.

“He’s a special horse. I don’t think we saw him at his best today but even not at his best, he’s still good enough.”

David Hayes said: “It was an absolute thrill and I can’t wait to watch the replay and enjoy it. It’s a long straight, Randwick, when you hit the front, but I think he held on pretty well.

“Great ride by Zac and I was actually going to be shattered today if he lost. I think there’s more to come with this horse but it’s certainly the biggest thrill in my life – and it’s been the longest 10 days in my life.

“I really have to thank my team, they haven’t missed a beat with him and they’ve given just a wonderful effort.”

Representing the Ka Ying Syndicate, Mr Leung Shek Kong immediately indicated he wanted Ka Ying Rising to return to The Everest next year.

“We want to come back next year,” Mr Leung said. “We have all enjoyed our time in Sydney and we want to thank the ATC (Australian Turf Club) and TAB (Totalisator Agency Board). I want to thank David Hayes and his team and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“I was very nervous before the race but after the parade, I was more comfortable. I felt confident after the parade rings.”

Determined to avoid a repeat of the anxiety Ka Ying Rising experienced before his barrier trial at Royal Randwick on 7 October, Hayes was given approval to keep the gelding cosseted away from the milling crowd in a quiet area of the tie-up stalls.

Hayes briefly took Ka Ying Rising to his allocated stall, where he was greeted by spectators who stood 10-deep in front of his box to catch a glimpse of the sprinter, before whisking him back to a more secluded stall.

Hayes said the heavily scrutinised barrier trial when Ka Ying Rising finished third behind Linebacker – who easily won the G3 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Royal Randwick today and Overpass (fourth in The Everest) – was pivotal to today’s success.

“He blew out all the mothballs and a lot of people were very critical of the trial. He still beat Group 1 winners and he still ran third. The trial was important for him to get used to Randwick,” Hayes said.

Purton said the raucous atmosphere created by a capacity crowd of about 50,000 had created a pre-race challenge for Ka Ying Rising.

“The crowd did a good job of buzzing him up before the race. I didn’t expect them to boo him and be as vocal as they were when he came out onto the track and it was all the way down until he got to the end of the crowd,” Purton said.

“He handled it really well and I was impressed with that and I just love him – he’s such a nice horse to ride.”

Purton struck in the race immediately before The Everest with a brilliant ride on Robert Heathcote-trained Rothfire in the G3 Sydney Stakes (1200m).

Ka Ying Rising is scheduled to fly out of Sydney early next week and will be prepared for the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 14 December.