Hayes gives reassuring report on Ka Ying Rising

SYDNEY Trainer David Hayes hopes a strong gallop at Canterbury on Oct 13 proved to everyone that Ka Ying Rising is in good health, and is a certain starter in the Group 1 The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick on Oct 18.

The rumour mill was in overdrive on Oct 12, with suggestions that the Hong Kong superstar was not in good condition, and was a doubt to start in the A$20 million (S$16.8 million) feature, but Hayes described that as "fake news".

"I got a call yesterday at lunchtime from JD, my son, and (Sports Entertainment Network host) Gareth Hall had rung him and said his Twitter account had been hacked," said the Hong Kong-based Australian handler.

"It sent out some false information and basically had him scratched, lame behind and not eating.

"That's not the horse I've been training anyway.

"The phone went into meltdown for probably six hours, but to use a 'Donald Trump-ism', it was fake news."

Ka Ying Rising worked solo on Oct 13, striding home the last 600 metres and covering the last 200m in 12 seconds.

It was the four-time Group 1 winner's most serious piece of work since his much-talked-about barrier trial at Randwick on Oct 7.

Ka Ying Rising was then hard held by Zac Purton throughout as the pair coursed wide, before finishing third behind Linebacker and Overpass in the 1,000m trial.

Hayes said the five-year-old son of Shamexpress had come on from that.

"We're really happy with him. He just went out on the beautiful Canterbury track this morning and ran home in 38 (seconds) under a nice hold," he said.

"His recovery was excellent, and I think he's really improved from that trial.

"The idea of the trial was to bring him on, and I think it has, and we're very happy with him.

"I think he's ready to rumble."

The morning gallop on Oct 13 was Ka Ying Rising's final piece of serious work before The Everest. He will have an easy morning on Oct 14, before some cantering work on Oct 15 and a leisurely stride on Oct 16 before the race.

The world's highest-rated sprinter's full set of rivals is now known after Yulong Investments announced on the morning of Oct 13 that Mazu would run in his slot, replacing Private Harry.

The Nathan Doyle-trained four-year-old was one of the first few horses entered for The Everest. But the son of Harry Angel was withdrawn after he was found to be lame in the near-fore leg following his fifth in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1,200m) on Oct 4.

Mazu joins the Yulong-owned Angel Capital and Magic Time in The Everest. Trained by Joseph Pride, the Maurice seven-year-old was third in The Everest in 2022 and 11th in 2023. He last took third in the Premiere Stakes.

"Obviously, it's disappointing that injury forced Private Harry's withdrawal from the Yulong slot, but to secure a seasoned sprinter like Mazu is a huge bonus, particularly at this late stage," said Yulong's chief operating officer Sam Fairgray.

"There aren't many who can say they have three genuine chances in the world's richest turf race.

"We're in a very fortunate position this year, and we're looking forward to watching how it plays out on Saturday." SKY RACING WORLD