Hayes backs Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising to smash Randwick track record after ‘scare’

Trainer David Hayes assured punters Ka Ying Rising was not only fit and firing – describing rumours The Everest favourite was struggling as “fake news” – but he backed his champion sprinter to smash the Randwick track record on Saturday.

If all goes to plan, Ka Ying Rising will win the $20 million Everest in a time that will stand the test of time.

Social media went into meltdown over the weekend with claims all was not right with the Hong Kong superstar, even though it came as a complete shock to Hayes. The scuttlebutt became a major news story in Hong Kong due to the horse’s huge profile.

“To use a Donald Trumpism, it’s fake news,” Hayes on Monday when asked about the social media storm.

“I got a call at lunchtime Sunday from JD my son. [Melbourne radio personality] Gareth Hall had rung him and said his Twitter [X] account had been hacked, and had sent out false information that basically had him scratched, lame behind and not eating.

“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.”

Bookies played it safe for a few hours on Sunday and suspended betting on the big race before reopening markets with Ka Ying Rising the $1.70 favourite.

On five occasions, Ka Ying Rising has broken 68 seconds for 1200m. Yes Yes Yes holds the Randwick 1200m record with a time of 67.32 seconds, which he clocked in the 2019 Everest.

Jockey Zac Purton is yet to hit top gear on the gelding, which has won 14 of his 16 career starts, including his past 13 races.

“Zac thinks the horse is capable of breaking his own record any time he wants,” Hayes said. “Normally you don’t go for records because you don’t get paid anything extra for it, but I’d say if the conditions are right on the weekend, he’ll give the record a shake.”

When pressed on those comments afterwards, Hayes said: “When he’s on song, his last 13 runs he’s either broken the record in Hong Kong, or he’s nearly broken it easing down, not trying.

“He runs near track-record times every time he runs.

“Zac says he’s got a lot of improvement, and he still makes mistakes. He always talks about him being on the wrong leg.

“When he changes legs, that’s when he comes on – and Zac thinks when he changes legs, that’s when he breaks track records.”

Australian 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, the best horse he has trained, even better than champion Better Loosen Up, he said.

Last year’s Everest winner, Bella Nipotina, started her career with Hayes before the trainer 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 had shown the horse too much respect.

“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 10, or a 10 out of 10.

“He’s made the progression we thought he would. We’re expecting a bold showing. A nice firm track will only help.”