Mad Monday: Everest Day

Moment Of The Day: Ka Ying Rises to the top of Everest (R7)

I’ve never seen a build-up to a race quite like this year’s Everest – it had absolutely everything. A Hong Kong star, key injuries to two major chances, a fake rumour text, and a market that shifted significantly over the past 12 months. But when it mattered most, David Hayes and Ka Ying Rising stood tall on the big stage.

Let’s not understate what Hayes and his team did for the event. It’s one thing to travel an absolute star across the world – it’s another to open yourself and your operation up to the media and go above and beyond to bring fans inside the thinking of the entire team.

Ka Ying Rising drifted notably in betting after what many labelled an “ordinary trial,” easing from $1.50 to $2.00. Plenty were potting him, myself included – but it turned out to be one of the strongest trials of the spring. Ka Ying Rising won the Everest, Linebacker took out the Silver Eagle, and Overpass ran the race of his life in the main event.

From the perfect draw in gate 7, it was a faultless ride from start to finish. He landed on the leader’s back and never looked like losing. What impressed me most was his final 100m – he was pulling away from his rivals and looked to have plenty more to give. He’s the complete sprinter: tactically versatile, able to absorb pressure, and ruthless when it’s time to put them away.

THE WORLD’S FASTEST HORSE WINS THE EVEREST‼️

Hong Kong’s champion Ka Ying Rising has beaten Australia’s best sprinters with a performance for the ages! pic.twitter.com/KokaDHzAKd

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025

What’s scary is that I don’t think that was Ka Ying Rising at his best. With another run under his belt and a smoother prep, I genuinely believe he could have won by further. The ratings back this up, he recorded a 106.5WFA on Top Rate, which is 1-1.5L below what we know is his best. I can’t wait to see the champ back for another crack in 2026.

Tactics Questioned – R7 Briasa/Tyler Schiller + Everest Field.

In what shaped as the best edition of The Everest, I’d say the build-up to the event definitely trumped the race itself. On paper, it looked to be game on with plenty of pressure up front for the HK visitor Ka Ying Rising, but what we saw instead were a lot of conservative rides in what should have been the Grand Final event for all of these horses – and one of the easiest watches you’ll see aboard a $2 favourite.

They may not have beaten the HK champ regardless, but the lack of intent and tempo was disappointing overall, and it was somewhat overlooked with the Hong Kong sprinter dominating 99% of the post-race conversation. Tyler Schiller’s ride aboard Briasa was the main catalyst – if they had any chance of winning, he had to roll forward. Yes, he didn’t quite begin perfectly, but there was ample opportunity to press on. The other was Lane aboard Lady Shenandoah – he could have pushed up slightly and forced Ka Ying Rising to the rails.

The ride I loved most was Ethan Brown’s steer aboard Jimmysstar. The intent early, and albeit being trapped wide, was the reason Jimmysstar was able to place in the race. It was a very similar ride to Craig Williams’ effort in last year’s race. In Grand Finals, that’s what we want to see – the tactical presence of our best jockeys coming to the fore to complement these incredible beasts we call thoroughbreds.

Shooting Star – Joe Pride, Never Underestimate. King Charles III R9 – Ceolwulf

I know for one, myself and others had doubted where Ceolwulf was at this prep, but master trainer Joe Pride again reminded everyone why he should never be underestimated — with Ceolwulf taking out the $5 million King Charles III Stakes for the second year running.

What is it about this race that brings out his best? We’ve learnt a lot about the rising five-year-old gelding this preparation. He takes 3–4 runs to hit his peak, he’s somewhat one-dimensional and needs genuine speed on, and he also requires a spacious track to wind up. He got all of those conditions in back-to-back editions of the King Charles III Stakes. Maybe the masterstroke – one that many missed – was the reapplication of the blinkers.

Talent Scout: Zac Lloyd – Treble

In one of, if not the most competitive jockey rooms in the world, it was quite unusual to see young gun Zac Lloyd without a ride in the $20 million Everest. He was originally booked to ride Headwall before the six-year-old gelding sustained an injury. This came just a week after Zac rode four winners at the Hill Stakes meeting on Saturday.

So, what’s the best way to get over the disappointment of missing out on a ride in the big one? Ride a treble on Sydney’s biggest day of the year — including:

• • R2: Travolta – Listed St Leger Stakes
  • R4: Idle Flyer – Group 3 Angst Stakes
  • R8: Linebacker – $1 million Group 3 Silver Eagle

Linebacker bolts in the Silver Eagle!

That Ka Ying Rising trial form turned out alright 😂😂@ZacLloydx @JohnOSheaRacing pic.twitter.com/DHNjlRgNuY

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025

Zac is currently sitting second on the New South Wales Metropolitan Premiership with 16 wins, 17 seconds, and 10 thirds. There’s no doubt that in the years to come, he could rise to the very top of the Sydney jockey ranks.

The Flashing Light

R7 – Angel Capital: All eyes were on the winner, but upon reviewing the replay, the run of Angel Capital was out of this world. Probably not at his best over 1200m and back to the Sydney way of going, but his last 200m was phenomenal. He’ll win wherever he goes next start — more than likely in the Golden Eagle.

R2 – More Felons: He’s flying. Produced some of the best late splits over the 2600m despite being completely unsuited by the walking tempo. Look for a faster-run race next time out and trust his SP.

R6 – Caballus: One of the best runs of the day without winning. The Baker-trained Caballus’ trials suggested he was flying, and this effort from a horror draw backed that up and more. He’ll be winning next start.

R8 – Mayfair: Drifted badly $6–$9 and may have needed the run, but I loved his last 100m when sticking on gamely. He’ll be in the winner’s stall soon in a slightly easier race.

“They” Knew – Punters Got The Cash

R4 – Idle Flyer: $3.20 into $2.50 and the punters were bang on — the 4yo mare was able to overcome a negative weight swing and a 1.5L margin against Perfumist for a dominant win. She has better wins in store.

R5 – Clear Thinking: $4.60 into $3.70 and the punters were bang on again. The impressive mare lapped up the strong early tempo before weaving a passage through to take out The Kosciuszko.

R8 – Linebacker: $3.60 into $3.00 and copped a peach of a ride from Lloyd, who was able to offset the wide draw with ease. He’s come back in outstanding order.

Forgive File

Sam Hawkens – Slow to recover.

Compelling Truth – Bled both nostrils.

So Magnificent – Bled both nostrils. (Second time – banned from racing)

Just Feelin’ Lucky – Coughing post race.

Golden Mile – Coughing post race.

Within The Law – Bled one nostril.

Social Media Sin Bin?

I’m throwing all of the ticket Twitter users posting Ka Ying Rising’s win straight into the sin bin this week. This great game of ours is built on opinions. I myself knocked Ka Ying Rising’s and Linebacker’s trials on that Tuesday at Randwick – both came out and won with legs in the air. But what that trial did was divide opinions and build anticipation around the race, not just between punters but also in the market, with the champ drifting to $2.00.

Simply put, without opinions there are no markets, without markets there’s no turnover, and without turnover, there’s no such thing as horse racing.

Back your judgment, do the work, and if you’re successful – be humble. If you get it wrong, which 90% of the time you will, cop it on the chin, learn from it, and be better for the experience.

Long live our great game, which is built on opinions.