The Everest awaits now for world’s best Ka Ying Rising

After another phenomenal win on FWD Champions Day, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) will now spell as trainer David Hayes rests the world’s best sprinter before plotting a path towards Sydney, Australia for the Gr.1 The Everest (1200m).

The nine-time Group One winner secured a record-extending 20th consecutive win, again lowering his own 1200m Sha Tin turf course record to 1m 07.10s in the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) and returning a peak local rating of 142. 

“I could run him today (Tuesday). He’s fantastic. He’s having a well-earned rest and we’re looking forward to next season,” Hayes said. “He’ll go to Conghua on Wednesday. The Everest is in the front of my mind – we’re looking forward to defending the title and then, of course, the big international race here in December.”

Ka Ying Rising became the first overseas winner of The Everest last year, which carries an enormous AU$20 million (approx. HK$112.71 million) purse. This year’s edition of the race will be staged on 17 October at Royal Randwick.

Fourth in this season’s trainers’ championship standings with 46 wins, including eight with Ka Ying Rising, Hayes saddles six runners at Happy Valley on Wednesday, including Akashvani (Alpine Eagle) in a cracking 10-runner Class 2 Seoul Handicap (1000m).

“We just feel he goes well at the Valley and we thought we would give it a try at the minimum distance. He’ll be very strong at the end of the 1000 (metres). He’s a really honest horse and a competitor,” Hayes said.

Thunder Prince (I Am Invincible) broke through by two lengths on 22 April at Happy Valley, and trainer Jamie Richards is hoping the I Am Invincible gelding can repeat in the Class 4 Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap (1200m) at the city circuit on Wednesday.

“He’s taken a fair while to get his act together. He drew barrier one and never went around a horse, but he did still do it in good fashion. He was getting down to a mark where he was, hopefully, going to do something,” Richards said.

“I’m thrilled for the owners that he was able to get a win, and I just thought that while he is in such good form, why not run him again. It’s a slightly awkward draw (eight) this week, but he’s certainly taken no harm from his win last week.”

General Redwood (NZ) (Redwood) claimed a first win earlier this month, and jockey Angus Chung reunites with the gelding in the Class 4 Incheon Handicap (1650m).

“We didn’t expect a lot of pace last time, so we decided to go forward. It’s not what he normally does, but we didn’t see any pace, so it was a new way to ride him and it was a success,” Chung said. “He’s going pretty well.”

Wednesday night’s nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm local time with the Class 5 Daejeon Handicap (1800m).