David Hayes is focused on how he wants to prepare Ka Ying Rising for October’s G1 The Everest (1200m) – and all the logistical considerations ahead – now that Hong Kong’s superstar sprinter has officially confirmed his spot in the AUD$20 million contest.
While Hayes has previously talked down the possibility of running Ka Ying Rising in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m) under 135 pounds on the first day of the season at Sha Tin, the 62-year-old trainer said he is starting to come around to the idea.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Hayes told Idol Horse. “It will depend on how he trials really but it will either be a run or an exhibition gallop.
“I’m just mindful of running the horse in The Everest first-up after having seven months off. All his Australian counterparts will be running in September and while I think he could run in The Everest first up, I’d probably like to have a run under his belt and six weeks between runs.”
Hayes also added that he favoured a prep run in Hong Kong over one in Sydney.
“I only wanted him to have two runs abroad and the two I thought were The Everest and a race after that,” Hayes said, adding: “If he doesn’t win the Everest, we’ll probably come straight home.”
The trainer is also keen to give Ka Ying Rising company during the quarantine process in Hong Kong and Canterbury, saying that Ka Ying Resilience, a 46-rated son of Blue Point, may join his stable star in Australia.
“It’s not decided yet and it depends on how he races towards the end of the season, but Ka Ying Resilience is the favourite to be his companion over there,” Hayes said.
“He works really well here but he hasn’t raced particularly well so far. If he turns his form around he’ll probably stay in Hong Kong, and what we’ll do is we’ll put a horse in quarantine with Ka Ying Rising – probably the stable pony – and then I’d organise one of my horses from Lindsay Park to go over and meet him at Canterbury.”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s executive director of racing, Andrew Harding, confirmed that it has secured the Australian Turf Club’s (ATC) slot for two years with the option to extend.
“The ATC has been a good partner to the club for a number of years and it’s good to be able to work with them on this,” Harding said. “I think Ka Ying Rising’s participation this year will be really exciting and generate a lot of value for fans in Hong Kong and the Australian racing public.
“In future years, we will use the slot to either facilitate a Hong Kong horse running or to target Australian or New Zealand sprinters to come on to the Hong Kong International Races after The Everest.” ∎
