Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising barrier ‘ideal’, why world’s top jockey chose Joliestar

Trainer David Hayes described barrier seven as “ideal” for The Everest favourite and Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising – and was just as quick to praise one of Saturday’s rivals, War Machine, going as far to admit: “I don’t think people realise how good he is.”

A day after an excellent gallop at Canterbury, Ka Ying Rising received another boost at Tuesday night’s official barrier draw on Sydney Harbour.

He drifted slightly to $1.80 with the bookies, but Hayes expected Ka Ying Rising, a five-year-old gelding shooting for his 14th straight win, to take a sit behind Overpass (nine) and Mazu (two).

Chris Waller’s trio Angel Capital, Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah all drew favourably in three, five and six respectively.

As for Ka Ying Rising, Hayes said: “I think it’s ideal, [jockey] Zac Purton can make a decision in the first 50 yards if he goes all the way forward, or takes a sit.

“It will map well when we analyse the horses around him and where they’ve drawn.

“The obvious pace is Mazu and Overpass. I think [trainer] Bjorn Baker would have loved Mazu not to be in it. For us, if the pace is too fast, he runs his best races sitting third or fourth.”

When asked which horse posed the biggest threat to Ka Ying Rising, Hayes liked several horses, but especially War Machine, who is trained by his sons, Ben, JD and Will.

“I’m a bit one-eyed, but War Machine, I don’t think people realise how good he is,” Hayes said.

“He’s had four wins for the boys and won them all, including the Stradbroke. He won the Gilgai carrying 60kg, so he’s a worthy contender in this race.

“I thought Lady Shenandoah’s second in Concorde Stakes was incredible. She’s clearly a superstar. And Briasa has improved, I didn’t think he had any hope after his first run, but his second run was really good.”

As reported by this masthead on Tuesday, premier jockey James McDonald committed to Joliestar over stablemate Lady Shenandoah, who will be piloted by Damian Lane.

McDonald, who won the 2021 Everest on the Waller-trained Nature Strip, had a strong association with both stars, but committed to Joliestar before the barrier draw.

Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said of McDonald’s decision: “It’s obviously very tricky. He’s got a good affiliation with two of the three horses. It was a group decision. Ultimately, he’s got an amazing affiliation with Joliestar. She’s the second favourite, he’s the champion jockey, so he’s entitled to be riding the best Sydney has to offer.

“If the market suggests she’s the best in Sydney, that’s probably the way he needs to be going.”

Victorian rider Ben Melham was already booked for Waller’s other Everest runner, Angel Capital.

Joliestar has been on or around the second line of betting for the Everest behind odds-on favourite Ka Ying Rising since McDonald steered her to a dominant win in the $1 million The Shorts (1100m) on September 20 at Randwick. He has since ridden her well back in the Randwick trial, where Ka Ying Rising finished third, and she hits the race second-up.

Joliestar is the only runner from last year’s Everest field returning this year and fills the Chris Waller Racing slot. The five-year-old Zoustar mare was seventh in 2024, but only one and a half lengths away from winner Bella Nipotina.

Joe Pride-trained Mazu was last into the Everest on Monday when confirmed as slot-holder Yulong’s replacement for the injured Private Harry. Jason Collett has ridden the veteran in his recent runs and will be aboard on Saturday.

The remaining jockeys are Zac Purton (Ka Ying Rising), Josh Parr (Overpass), Ethan Brown (Jimmysstar), Tyler Schiller (Briasa), Tim Clark (War Machine), Kerrin McEvoy (Jedibeel), Michael Dee (Magic Time) and Craig Williams (Tempted).