Suited by likely fast track conditions, improved fitness and a favourable barrier draw, Ka Ying Rising is poised to threaten Royal Randwick’s 1200m course record in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest on Saturday (18 October) in Sydney, Australia, according to trainer David Hayes.

Hayes was elated when his four-time Group 1 winner drew gate seven in the world’s richest turf race, explaining the barrier gives eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton tactical options in the 600m run to the start of Randwick’s long dogleg turn into the home straight.

“Normally you don’t go for records because you don’t get paid anything extra for it, but I’d say if the conditions are right on the weekend, he’ll (Ka Ying Rising) give the record a shake,” Hayes said.

“When he’s on song, his last 13 runs he’s either broken the record in Hong Kong, or he’s nearly broken it easing down, not trying. He runs near track-record times every time he runs.

“Zac says he’s got a lot of improvement, and he still makes mistakes. He always talks about him being on the wrong leg. When he changes legs, that’s when he comes on – and Zac thinks when he changes legs, that’s when he breaks track records.”

Ka Ying Rising broke Sacred Kingdom’s longstanding Sha Tin 1200m record – a mark which had stood since 2007 – with a gallop of 1m 07.43s in the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) in November 2024 before smashing it in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 19 January with a time of 1m 07.20s.

Hayes concedes track records are a secondary objective as Ka Ying Rising vies against 11 rivals for The Everest’s winners’ purse of AU$7 million (approx. HK$35.8 million), but said: “Zac thinks the horse is capable of breaking his own record any time he wants.”

Adding to Hayes’ trademark confidence was Ka Ying Rising’s barrier draw of gate seven, while two of the gelding’s major rivals have drawn in double figures – Briasa (gate 10) and Jimmysstar (barrier 11).

Joliestar (five) and Lady Shenandoah (six) fared better while Tempted (barrier one), Mazu (two), Angel Capital (three), War Machine (four), Jedibeel (eight), Overpass (nine) and Magic Time (12) endured mixed fortunes.

Chris Waller’s Lady Shenandoah, Joliestar and Angel Capital shape as the main danger to Ka Ying Rising after drawing favourable barriers.

“It’s an incredibly intriguing race so to have any interest, let alone three runners, is fantastic,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “All three of our horses have drawn incredibly well to get the perfect runs.”

James McDonald, who won the 2021 Everest on Waller-trained Nature Strip, decided before the barrier draw he would ride Joliestar instead of Lady Shenandoah, who will be piloted by Damian Lane.

Duckworth said of McDonald’s decision: “It’s obviously very tricky. He’s got a good affiliation with two of the three horses. It was a group decision. Ultimately, he’s got an amazing affiliation with Joliestar. She’s the second favourite; he’s the champion jockey, so he’s entitled to be riding the best Sydney has to offer.”

Ben Melham rides Angel Capital.