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Australia

Ka Ying Rising second in trial but Everest favourite holds firm

Defending champion beaten by Ninja at Randwick but market unmoved

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
The world's highest-rated racehorse, Ka Ying Rising, finished a long head second to fellow Everest contender Ninja in a 1000-metre trial at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, but punters kept the Hong Kong superstar at $1.30 favourite for the $20 million Everest on October 17.

An estimated 1500 people, including three spectators wearing suits matching the defending champion's colours, gathered at the course to watch the trial. Ka Ying Rising jumped well from the outside gate under jockey Zac Purton and led the seven-horse field on a soft 7 surface that saw runners avoid the inside half of the track. Ninja, trained by Michael Freedman, edged ahead late as neither horse was asked for a major effort.

Trainer David Hayes described the result as "not quite relevant". The market agreed: Ka Ying Rising remained the $1.30 TAB favourite despite the defeat, while Ninja firmed from $26 to $21.

The Hong Kong-based galloper, who has broken the Sha Tin 1200-metre track record four times since winning the Everest last year, is chasing a 22nd consecutive victory. Tuesday's trial was his second preparatory hit-out ahead of the race.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Ka Ying Rising is the world's highest-rated racehorse and a major drawcard for the Everest, Australia's richest turf race.
  • A trial defeat, even if downplayed, raises questions about fitness and form that punters and rival trainers will scrutinise.
  • The Everest (October 17) is a premier event on the Australian racing calendar, attracting global attention.

Background

The Everest is a 1200-metre sprint run at Royal Randwick with a $20 million purse. Ka Ying Rising won the race in 2025 and has been undefeated since, breaking track records at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on multiple occasions. He is trained by David Hayes and typically races with Zac Purton aboard. Trials are low-pressure workouts used to gauge fitness; results are often considered less significant than race-day performance.

Key Perspectives

David Hayes (trainer): Dismissed the trial result as "not quite relevant", focusing on the horse's condition rather than the placing. Punters: Betting markets held Ka Ying Rising at $1.30, indicating strong confidence he will win on race day. Rival camp (Michael Freedman): Ninja's trial victory saw his odds shorten from $26 to $21, giving his stable a morale boost ahead of the main event.

What to Watch

  • Final trackwork and barrier draw for the Everest, expected closer to race day.
  • Any change in Ka Ying Rising's odds or public sentiment following Tuesday's trial.
  • The performance of other Everest contenders, including Ninja, in remaining lead-up trials or races.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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