Trainer David Hayes reveals audacious plan for 2025 The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising

Ka Ying Rising will likely tackle next year’s The Everest first up from a spell … but that will come after trainer David Hayes tests Hong Kong’s star sprinter at a mile.

Hong Kong-based Australian trainer David Hayes hopes to bring his star sprinter Ka Ying Rising to Royal Randwick for the $20 million The Everest in 2025. Pictures: Getty Images

Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes has revealed an audacious long-term plan to set Hong Kong’s superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising to go first-up into the $20 million The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick next spring.

But Hayes told News Corp despite being inundated with slot-holder interest for Ka Ying Rising, he is resisting temptations to lock in an Everest start until the end of the Hong Kong racing season in July.

He has also ruled out bringing the speed sensation to Sydney in autumn to get some experience over The Everest course and distance in the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during The Championships at Royal Randwick in April.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“I’m going to keep Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong for the rest of the season,’’ Hayes said.

“There are so many good options here for the horse, there is no need to travel overseas with him just yet.

“But then I’m going to train him to go first-up for The Everest next spring – that’s the plan.’’

Ka Ying Rising, winner of nine races (and two seconds) from 11 starts, is already a dominant $3.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite for The Everest, run on October 18. Crack colt Switzerland is second favourite at $9 ahead of defending champ Bella Nipotina and Sunshine In Paris at $11.

Hayes said he wants to give Ka Ying Rising an exhibition gallop or barrier trial at Randwick a week or two before The Everest to give his stable star a look at the course proper.

"Zac (Purton) salutes, that's rare...Ka Ying Rising, special!"

WOW! Ka Ying Rising is a serious talent for David Hayes in Hong Kong & he breaks Sacred Kingdom's 1200m track record at Sha Tin 🔥 #HongKongpic.twitter.com/FGCHzAokaT

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 17, 2024

• Ray Thomas’s Blackbook: Filly’s run was ‘impossible to miss’

“Ka Ying Rising will have a couple of barrier trials in Hong Kong before he travels to Sydney,’’ the trainer said.

“He will then go first-up in The Everest, this horse is so good fresh.’’

Ka Ying Rising has vaulted to the top of the world’s sprint rankings after winning eight races in succession this year including the Group 1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) earlier this month.

But Hayes revealed he was flirting with the idea of taking Ka Ying Rising out to 1600m in coming months.

“His next run is on the 19th of January in a Group 1 sprint (Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin),’’ the trainer said.

“Then after that we will wait to see if he goes to the Hong Kong four-year-old series and the Mile race.’’

"At the 10-run stage, right up there I'd say, probably the best."

David Hayes says Ka Ying Rising is the best sprinter he's ever had as a trainer 💪@lindsayparkrace@HKJC_Racingpic.twitter.com/jkl4GTggoA

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 4, 2024

• ‘In the zone’: Top trainers’ high praise for Nash

Hayes was adamant if Ka Ying Rising did go up in distance, it wouldn’t dull the sprinter’s natural brilliance before The Everest.

“From an Everest point of view, if we do go to 1600m this season, then Randwick is six months later so I don’t think it is a problem,’’ Hayes said.

“After the Hong Kong Classic Mile, if we run in that race, then Ka Ying Rising will be specifically trained for The Everest.’’

Hayes said he had informed Everest slot-holders he was temporarily shelving plans to lock in a start for Ka Ying Rising in the rich Randwick race.

“There is a lot of interest in the horse but I’ve told everyone we won’t be making any decisions until our season ends in Hong Kong (early July),’’ he said.

“We’ve got plenty of time to secure an Everest slot, that’s the least of my worries.’’

Ka Ying Rising is in a world of his own in the Hong Kong Sprint ✨

David Hayes' star 4YO collects his maiden G1 success... pic.twitter.com/oT4wcl8g93

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 8, 2024

Meanwhile, Mr Brightside – trained by Hayes’ sons Ben, Will and JD – will campaign in Hong Kong next autumn.

Mr Brightside, the fifth highest prizemoney earner of all-time with more than $16.3 million, is being aimed at the Champions Mile at Sha Tin on April 27.

The Hayes brothers are preparing Mr Brightside for three Group 1 starts in Melbourne early in the New Year – the Orr Stakes, Futurity Stakes and All-Star Mile – to ready the gelding for the Hong Kong race.

THE EVEREST – LATEST BETTING
$3.50 Ka Ying Rising
$9 Switzerland
$11 Bella Nipotina, Sunshine In Paris
$15, Giga Kick, Growing Empire, I Wish I Win, Joliestar
$18 Briasa, Traffic Warden
#Market supplied by TAB Fixed Odds

Originally published as Trainer David Hayes reveals audacious plan for 2025 The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising