Ka Ying Rising’s wide barrier 11 draw for the A$20 million Everest at Randwick has not unsettled trainer David Hayes, who believes the gate could suit the heavily backed favourite.
The gelding is now priced at $1.40 with TAB after shortening from $2.10 following his victory in last year’s race. TAB is reported to be holding $2.5 million in bets on him, most of them in multi bets, making him the sole loser on its books.
Tempted, at $5, is the only other runner given significant winning claims by the betting market.
Hayes said jockey Zac Purton would welcome the draw because Ka Ying Rising can become unsettled when waiting in the starting gates. Barrier 11 means the horse will be loaded last.
“Zac really didn’t want to draw one or seven, then he would go (the barriers) in first because of the way they do it here,” Hayes said.
“Now, he’s going in last. He can be a little bit touchy in the gates, so I’d say Purton will be pretty happy with that barrier.”
Hayes said the horse had been loaded late in Hong Kong and would be expected to jump and quickly find his rhythm. He recalled that Ka Ying Rising had played up before last year’s Everest after a delay at the start.
“He goes in late, jumps and gets going,” Hayes said. “Zac actually said he really played up before the start (last year) and just nearly went off, waiting too long because there was a hold up. This year, I don’t think that’ll be a factor.”
Rain the main concern for Ka Ying Rising
Hayes’s principal concern is the state of the track, with rain falling in Sydney during the barrier draw.
He said he could tolerate a track rated five, six or seven, but would become increasingly worried if conditions deteriorated further.
“I think 5, 6 and 7 I can tolerate,” Hayes said. “8, I’d start to worry. 9, I’d s..t myself.”
The trainer admitted there was uncertainty over how Ka Ying Rising would perform on heavy ground, having not been proven in those conditions. However, he said he would not use a dead or slow track as an excuse.
“I wouldn’t know what’s going to happen (on a Heavy track). No one does,” Hayes said. “Unless you’re proven on it and we know he’s not, but I’m sure on a dead or a slow (track), I won’t be using that as an excuse.”
Hayes acknowledged suggestions that Shamus Award progeny can be better on slower ground, but said he could not imagine that applying to Ka Ying Rising, while insisting the horse would not be out of his depth.
