Hall Of Fame trainer David Hayes has declared Ka Ying Rising’s controversial barrier trial has “done its job” and has the Hong Kong superstar peaking for The Everest at Randwick on Saturday.
Hayes and jockey Zac Purton didn’t exactly exert confidence after Ka Ying Rising was third behind Linebacker and Overpass last Tuesday, but the trainer was happy with what he saw on the scales on Saturday morning.
“I don’t usually look at weight when I’m training horses, but it is the best guide when you are travelling them,” Hayes told Betsy.
“We needed to leave some weight on him, so we could bring him back down to his racing weight.”
“It’s easier to come down than to try to put it back on.”
“He had 20 pounds to lose after the trial, and the scales are showing it has done its job.”
“He will be his racing weight for the gallop on Monday, which is what we have been working towards. There are no excuses.”
Ka Ying Rising remains $1.60 favourite for The Everest against the best sprinters from Australia.
“We are taking on the Australian sprinters on their turf, so he will need to be at his best, and I think he will be,” Hayes said.
Meanwhile, Yulong still have to announce which horse will fill their Everest slot.
The emerging racing and breeding giant will have Angel Capital run in the James Harron slot and Magic Time in the Inglis slot, but was left without a sprinter for its own slot when Private Harry was ruled out for the spring after disappointing in The Shorts.
