On the eve of a crucial track gallop and just six days out from The Everest, confusion erupted on Sunday afternoon when dominant favourite Ka Ying Rising drifted alarmingly in betting and prompted Australian bookmakers to briefly suspend markets amid wild speculation on social media.
The Hong Kong sprinter, who has headed pre-post markets for months, eased from as short as $1.50 to as much as $2.60 on Betfair, the world’s largest betting exchange. The move sent punters into a spin and triggered social media rumours that something may be wrong, including that the horse hadn’t eaten in days and that his withdrawal was imminent.
Trainer David Hayes, however, was unmoved when contacted by Idol Horse from Sydney, where Ka Ying Rising is stabled in quarantine.
“Yeah, he is brilliant … absolutely fine and he will work in the morning,” Hayes said.
The five-year-old is scheduled to gallop on Canterbury Racecourse’s course proper on Monday, a key piece of work that will shape his final preparation for Saturday’s A$20 million feature.
“He’ll be running home in 23 seconds for his last 400 metres. He is perfect and that is just what we’ve planned,” Hayes said. “He hasn’t missed a day of work, he’s tightened up just like we wanted him to after that trial and I’m thrilled with how he’s progressed. It’s all systems go.”
Ka Ying Rising had his final pre-race barrier trial at Randwick on Tuesday, where regular jockey Zac Purton flew in for the hit-out. The pair gave the run a solid but unspectacular assessment of a trial that has been scrutinised.
As speculation swirled online, Hayes seemed genuinely bemused.
“Why, what have they been saying?” he said. “I don’t have X – I’ve got a pretty tight circle of people I listen to.”
Despite the betting chaos, the Hall of Fame trainer insists his Everest front-runner remains in perfect order.
“He’s flying,” Hayes said. “Everything is on track.” ∎
