Ka Ying Rising cemented his place as the world’s number one racehorse with victory in the Everest at Randwick in Sydney in front of a record crowd
Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising had the last laugh after being booed to the start of the world’s richest race on turf. The sprinter flew to Randwick in Sydney as the hot favourite for the £10 million Everest, having won 13 races in a row.
During his 10 day stay in New South Wales doubts were voiced about his readiness after he had produced an underwhelming first trial and trainer David Hayes had to refute a rumour that he would not line up.
Yet on the big day he emerged triumphant as she sped clear of his 11 Australian rivals to take his winning streak to 14, after being sent off a generous Evens favourite.
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Such was the worldwide interest in the race that more than £8 million was bet into the World Pool, a record amount. His Australian jockey Zac Purton, the multiple Hong Kong champion, described the victory as “probably the most satisfying win I’ve had”.
He went on: “I don’t think he was at his best, but he didn’t need to be, did he? He’s got a brain and I know he worked himself up at the trial the other day, and that’s not ideal. But look at him now. As buzzed up as he is.”
Purton said Ka Ying Rising handled the preliminaries well, even after being heckled by some of the 50,000 crowd packed into the racecourse.
He said: “The crowd did a good job trying to buzz him up before the race. I didn’t expect them to boo him and be as vocal as they were when he came out on the track, and it was all the way down till we got to the end of the crowd.
But he handled it really well. I was really impressed with that. I just love him. He is such a nice horse to ride.”
Hayes said: “I would have been shattered if he lost today, truth be known, when he was calm an hour before the race I think there’s more to come from this horse and it’s certainly the biggest thrill of my life.”
He added: “A lot of people were very critical of the trial but he still beat 20 Group 1 winners and ran third, not really tested,’’ he said. “Better Loosen Up was the last world champion rated horse I’ve trained and this is the next one. A lot of good horses in between but these are the two stars.”