‘I was shattered’: Hayes reveals story behind Ka Ying Rising scare

A lash-out at the concrete feed bin by Ka Ying Rising on Monday was met with an emergency response by the Hong Kong Jockey Club veterinary department, but any fears about the World champion sprinter’s fitness were eased with a slashing gallop on Thursday.

Trainer David Hayes was as relieved as anyone as Ka Ying Rising flew around Sha Tin to confirm his place in the Chief Executive’s Cup on Sunday.

“He is ready to go,” Hayes said. “He kicked the wall, and he was sore on Monday.

“Then of course, with the security of the Jockey Club he had all those tests on Tuesday.

“He has passed all the scanning, CTs and X-rays, and he did work very well [on Thursday].

“He hasn’t missed any work, so that wasn’t a concern, but he did kick the wall and was proppy on Monday morning.

“I was shattered on Monday morning, but I’m very happy now.

“I wouldn’t run him if he wasn’t right.”

 Ka Ying Rising was scheduled to have his fetlocks scans to come to Australia for the Everest on Tuesday, so he was going to be sedated as part of that process.

So, the Jockey Club tests were done as part of a planned procedure.

Ka Ying Rising will look for a 21^st straight win on Sunday, before entering quarantine to head to Sydney to defend his Everest title.

It is the same plan as last year, with Ka Ying Rising to again have a barrier trial at Randwick on October 6, but Hayes has modified his program.

“We have learned a bit from last year, and really the trip, made him better,” Hayes said.

“He got very stirred up with the big crowd all going to see him [at Randwick].

“I think this year he’ll have just a little bit more work, and he won’t be as fizzy.

“And, hopefully, he won’t have all the problems after the trial that we had with the perception that he was not right.”