05-05-2025
Trainer David Hayes reveals that sprint superstar Ka Ying Rising will have two runs in Sydney this spring
Hong Kong's super sprinter Ka Ying Rising will earn more than $10 million prizemoney in just over two minutes if he cleans up The Everest-Russell Balding Stakes double in Sydney this spring.
With Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes revealing plans to set Ka Ying Rising for the two Sydney sprints, it is understood Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is emerging as a potential buyer for a vacant slot in the $20 million The TAB Everest, which has World Pool status.
There are three The Everest slots that could change hands later this year – definitely The Star's slot, and possibly TAB and Australian Turf Club.
If HKJC does buy an Everest slot, it would be a logical fit for them to select their own champion, Ka Ying Rising, the world's number one ranked sprinter.
Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising will stay in Sydney for a two-race spring campaign that includes the world's richest turf race, the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18, boasting first prizemoney of $7,500,000.
Then two weeks later is the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens which offers $1.725 million to the winner.
In addition, there is a $1 million bonus for any horse that can win The Everest-Russell Balding double.
Bella Nipotina became the first to win both races last spring. She ran 1m 8.76s on a soft 5 track in The Everest then raced away with the Russell Balding stakes in 1m 14.96s – taking less than 2m 24s to claim the mega-rich sprint double.
Ka Ying Rising, which has won 12 races in succession, is already $1.90 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for The Everest and is set to start the shortest favourite in the race's history. Nature Strip was $1.90 when he ran fourth to Giga Kick in the 2022 The Everest.
Hayes said Racing Victoria's strict veterinary protocols led to his decision to keep Ka Ying Rising in Sydney after The Everest and not aim the freakish sprinter at the Group 1 Champion's Sprint at Flemington.
'The race (Russell Balding Stakes) after The Everest carries a bonus for The Everest winner,'' Hayes said.
'It means he doesn't have to do any extra travelling and doesn't have to go through the protocols again to run in Melbourne, so the protocols made my decision very easy.
'It's a rule that needs to be looked at and reviewed, but it's the rule at the moment so while the rule's in place, I won't consider Melbourne. I would understand if it's his first run in Australia but it's not.
'I would have dearly loved to have shown him off in Victoria – it's my hometown and it would have been great to run there, but the protocols aren't making it favourable.
'I'm not asking for any favours, but I think they should review the rule. I think it's overkill.
'The horse has to go to hospital to have the tests - normally healthy horses aren't in hospital – he has to travel which is another risk, have a day away from his routine feed and be tranquillised to have it done, so it's quite an ordeal.'
Hayes said Ka Ying Rising left his Hong Kong stables on Monday for a spell in China after completing a perfect season, winning eight races including four at Group 1 level culminating with the Chairman's Sprint Prize last start.
Ka Ying Rising has earned a lofty Timeform figure of 132 which makes him clearly the highest-rated sprinter in the world.
Hayes said he believes there is enough time after the two Sydney races to get Ka Ying Rising back to Hong Kong to prepare for his defence of the Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December.
