Ka Ying Rising’s Everest tilt is a ‘big thing’ here in Australia, but the eyes of Hong Kong will also be firmly glued on Randwick come Saturday afternoon, the region cheering on their sprinting champion.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) Head of Commingling Sam Nati described interest in the Everest as “fever pitch”.
“Hong Kongers love horse racing and they love their champions.”
The HKJC run the World Pool which will be in action across racing in both Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday.
“In terms of turnover, if just looking at the five World Pool bet types then the conservative number probably sits around HKD 55-60million, but it could easily be higher,” Nati said of wagering interest in the Everest.
“There will be another HKD 10 million or so wagered in HK on the non-WP bet types.”
Much has been made of how short Ka Ying Rising might start on World Pool, punters expecting HK bettors to pile into their local champion.
Nati explained: “A lot depends on the big market makers.”
“But for sure he is going to be much shorter than his current fixed odds price for much of betting.”
In terms of recent HK champions, Nati believes Golden Sixty holds a special place in Hong Kongers’ hearts.
“Hong Kongers really rate longevity in their champions.”
“Golden Sixty was such an exciting horse. His turn of foot was amazing and because he raced during COVID-19 he represented that kind of community hope in a Phar Lap during the depression way. But he never travelled overseas.”
“Enter, Romantic Warrior. He is more workmanlike, and that will to win endears him to the public, not to mention how much they love James McDonald.”
“Of course, Ka Ying Rising is completely different again and especially being a sprinter.”
The Everest is early afternoon in Hong Kong. Nati suggesting punters “will be a spread across venues and home.”
There may also be temporary pedestrian chaos on HK sidewalks with many keen punters watching on “digital devices blocking the walkways!”
Like many in the HK racing scene, Nati is Aussie but his focus is squarely on HK these days. That aside, in terms of local dangers he said “it was hard not to be taken by Joliestar’s run in The Shorts.”
“They are a great bunch, but there’s not an out and out champion among them, so if Ka Ying Rising is one, like we think he might be, he should put them to the sword.”
HK punters love to play exotics, with a huge focus on bets such as the quinella and duet. Pushed on who local punters will favour to run the quinella, Nati quipped, “I hate to sound boring, but the James McDonald factor will no doubt see Joliestar highly fancied in the exotics.”
That said, Nati warned HK punters know what they are doing.
“It’s funny, a lot of the commentary has been around the over-support for Ka Ying Rising in HK, and that will happen, but don’t be mistaken, HK punters very much see themselves as serious form students.”
“They spend a lot of time online and reading their print media form guides coming up with their plays. There will be many backing Ka Ying Rising simply to be part of the story, but many others will have formed a serious and insightful view of the race.”
