“It’s not the horse I’ve been training. The phone went into meltdown for about six hours.
“I thought it was funny at first, but after three hours of it, I did my block.
Ka Ying Rising trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton.Credit: Getty Images
“When the fake news came out yesterday, Hong Kong went into a genuine spin.
“He’s an iconic horse in Hong Kong, and he will be more iconic if he’s lucky enough to win this big one.”
Racing NSW chief veterinarian Carly Garling inspected Ka Ying Rising and the other international runners taking part in Saturday’s Sydney program, which was normal protocol, “and all horses look well and are in good order”.
Garling said she would have another look at the foreign raiders on Friday.
‘I thought it was funny at first, but after three hours of it, I did my block.’
Ka Ying Rising trainer David Hayes
Hayes, who returned to Hong Kong for a second stint as a trainer in 2020, would love to win The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, a five-year-old gelding who has won 14 of his 16 starts, and is gunning for a 14th straight success.
Last year’s Everest winner, Bella Nipotina, had her first few career starts for Hayes before he had to move the mare on when he left Australia.
A healthy crowd turned up at Randwick last Monday to watch Ka Ying Rising finish third in a trial, which left punters divided about the star import and wondering if bookies were showing the horse too much respect.
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“The idea of that trial was to bring him on, and I think he has,” Hayes said.
“He ran home in 38 [seconds] under a nice hold, his recovery was excellent, and he’s really improved from his trial.
“If we trialled him today, he would be a nine out of ten, or a ten out of ten.
“He’s made the progression we thought he would. We’re expecting a bold showing. A nice firm track will only help.”
