Racing Confidential: The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising makes statement in Hong Kong trial win

The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising excelled in his first hitout since winning the Hong Kong Sprint, and the cousin of Joao Moreira claimed his first Australian city win.

The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising continued his winning form on Thursday – albeit at the trials.

Hong Kong’s newest superstar and the $3.50 top pick for this year’s $20m TAB Everest excelled in his first hitout since his Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint triumph.

The David Hayes-trained weapon scored an easy trial victory in a 1200m hit out on dirt at Sha Tin with Zac Purton aboard.

Ka Ying Rising is being prepared for the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on January 19.

Hayes is planning to keep his focus on sprint features in Hong Kong with a long-term plan to target The Everest at Royal Randwick still firmly on the agenda.

Job done 👏 Ka Ying Rising gets his Group 1, holding off Helios Express and California Spangle. @zpurton@HKJC_Racingpic.twitter.com/LogWAkdvvz

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 8, 2024

• Shayne O’Cass’ tips, analysis for Wyong on Saturday

COUSIN PRODUCES MAGIC

Jose Severo produced a ride his superstar cousin would have been proud of to snare his maiden Australian city win on So Newchee Thinks at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Severo is the cousin of globetrotting talent Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira and scored a career highlight by winning the Best Of Bordeaux @ Coolmore Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).

It came at his first ever metropolitan ride and for leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, who has shown Severo significant support since he started riding in Australia last year.

His cousin enjoyed a Group 1-winning spring with a major success on Buckaroo in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield before heading back overseas following the spring carnival.

So Newchee Thinks relishes the conditions at Warwick Farm to win for @Leesracing and Jose Severo!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/xbjrlcUoYJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 8, 2025

• Joseph has a Super Helpful tip for punters in The Lakes

LATE CALL ON MANAAL

Group 1-winning filly Manaal was a late withdrawal from Thursday’s barrier trials at Canterbury Park as stablemate and one-time Australian Derby contender Wymark edged closer to his return.

Freedman decided to give Group 2 Tulloch Stakes winner Wymark an extended break after a busy autumn campaign with the gelding on track for a return in late January.

Wymark stepped out for the first time in the silks of OTI Racing and was strong through the line when third in a 908m heat.

Manaal, winner of the Sires’ Produce Stakes as a two-year-old, was scratched from a 905m heat on the same morning.

Queensland Oaks runner-up Our Gold Hope made her first public appearance since the Group 1 placing earlier this week with a quiet trial at Rosehill Gardens over 900m.

• 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!

BENGAL BONUS BONANZA

Maiden victories don’t come much better than Bengal’s at Moruya earlier this week.

Bengal, formerly trained by Chris Waller, broke through for new trainer Luke Pepper with victory in a $50,000 Super Maiden to earn a winning check of $27,625.

But an added $100,000 as part of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Series made the victory even more lucrative.

The $42,500 Pepper and his connections paid for Bengal on Inglis Digital now looks like a steal.

Pepper has his stable firing on all cylinders since making the move back to Canberra from Scone last year.

He has trained 11 winners from his past 26 starters.

FAREWELL TO CHARLIE

Racing Confidential extends its condolences to the family of Charlie Porter.

Porter recently passed away aged 89.

A veteran conditioner ran a boutique stable at Newcastle and continued to train until the end of 2023.

He had success with horses including Wimbledon, Palazam, Elroy, and Framoli, the latter which won a Scone Cup.

Porter will be laid to rest from 2:30pm on Monday, 13th January 2025 at Reflections Chapel, 36A Glendale Drive, Glendale.

Originally published as Racing Confidential: The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising makes statement in Hong Kong trial win