Ka Ying Rising defeated in Randwick trial ahead of The Everest

Hong Kong superstar racehorse Ka Ying Rising was defeated by Ninja in a 1000m barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Tuesday. Despite the loss, the world’s highest-rated racehorse remains the $1.30 favourite for the $20 million Everest race scheduled for October 17.

Trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton expressed little concern regarding the result. Hayes attributed the narrow defeat to the soft 7 track rating and the longer grass on the course proper, noting that the performance was a “pass mark” but not necessarily exciting. Purton indicated that the horse needed the run to get back into a routine after arriving at the Canterbury training facility.

Ninja, trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, won the trial in 59.46 seconds. Other Everest contenders, including Joliestar, Headwall, and Angel Capital, followed the leaders. The trial result has not shifted the betting markets for the upcoming major event.