Ka Ying Rising in rare air ahead of Everest defence

Trainer David Hayes believes New Zealand-bred superstar Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has returned to Australia an even better horse than 12 months ago as he prepares to defend his crown in Saturday’s Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.

The son of Shamexpress is a dominant $1.35 favourite for the A$20 million feature, having extended his remarkable winning streak to 21 races since his triumph in last year’s Everest.

Hayes, who has trained champions on both sides of the Tasman and in Hong Kong, believes the world's highest-rated racehorse belongs in the same conversation as unbeaten Australian legend Black Caviar.

“Ka Ying Rising is a freak of nature, he's a generational horse,” Hayes said.

“Five times in a row he's broken the track record, I've never seen that before, and his ratings tell you he's a better horse now than when he was here 12 months ago.

“I never thought I would see a sprinter as good as Black Caviar until this horse came along.

“So, he's in rare air at the moment. You can have your opinion who's better, that's not the point, but he's as good as her anyway I think.”

Ka Ying Rising completed his final serious workout at Canterbury on Monday morning, working over 1000m on the course proper and quickening over his final 600m in 36.5 seconds.

Hayes was particularly pleased with the gelding's recovery following the gallop and believes his preparation has gone perfectly to plan.

“He had a nice, long, easy canter to warm up and then he quickened from the 600m and was rolling down the straight,” Hayes said.

“His recovery was excellent, he's in a great space, he's lost 10 pounds since the trial and we are really happy with him.

“What the trial has done has got him back into game day mode and brought him on beautifully and that was his strongest piece.”

With rain forecast for Sydney later in the week, the prospect of a rain-affected Randwick surface has been raised as a potential stumbling block for the Hong Kong champion.

However, Hayes is unconcerned, despite jockey Zac Purton expressing some reservations following the gelding's recent barrier trial.

“I know Zac (Purton, jockey), has a query on an Aussie 'wet', I don't. I'm not worried,” Hayes said.

“I think the other day Zac thought he laboured a little bit in the (barrier) trial but I think that was fitness and having a good look around, not being asked, not being pushed, and it was his first hit-out in five weeks.

“The way I read Saturday is we probably need to have a bad day and they need to have a very good day to beat him.”

Hayes is similarly relaxed about Tuesday night's barrier draw, pointing to Ka Ying Rising's exceptional gate speed and versatility.

“He's won from the inside, the middle, the outside. He gets the job done. He's done it 21 times in a row,” he said.

“Obviously closer to the rail is better but I wouldn't be in a panic if he drew wide, he's so fast.”

Hayes identified Tempted, Joliestar and fellow New Zealand-bred sprinter Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) as the three biggest threats to his champion.

“Tempted is obvious, she's outstanding and she's brilliant at the track and in the conditions,” Hayes said.

“Joliestar's trial was excellent behind him (Ka Ying Rising) the other day and she has returned from racing very well at Royal Ascot.

“I also like Jimmysstar if it is a hard run race. The blinkers seem to have switched him back on.”

Ka Ying Rising was bred by Fraser and Erin Auret under their Grandmoral Lodge banner. The son of Shamexpress was subsequently sold privately after impressing when winning a jumpout at Levin, before trialling in Australia and embarking on his remarkable career in Hong Kong.