Ka Ying Rising has completed his final major workout ahead of The Everest 2026 at Randwick Racecourse, leaving trainer David Hayes encouraged by the champion sprinter’s fitness and recovery just five days before Australia’s premier 1200m contest on Saturday, October 17.
The Hong Kong-trained star covered 1000m at Canterbury Racecourse on Monday, October 12, with regular track rider Roy Ip in the saddle. The exercise marked an important step in his preparation for the AU$20 million race, where Ka Ying Rising will attempt to become the first horse since Redzel in 2017 and 2018 to win The Everest in consecutive years.
The world’s highest-rated horse appeared comfortable throughout the gallop, building his pace over the final 600m. Hayes was particularly pleased with how quickly the sprinter recovered after the effort, a sign that the preparation is progressing as planned.
Ka Ying Rising Shows Strong Fitness in Final Gallop
Hayes explained that Ka Ying Rising began with a long, steady canter before quickening over the closing stages of the workout. The final 600m was recorded in approximately 36.5 seconds, although the trainer acknowledged that the timing might not have been entirely accurate.
The more important measure, in his view, was the horse’s response to the work. The gelding had an easier gallop before his recent trial, but that outing helped restore the intensity and routine associated with race day.
Hayes regarded Monday’s exercise as the strongest piece of work in the current preparation, with the rider also reporting that the horse had finished comfortably.
The stable will now look to Saturday with confidence as Ka Ying Rising prepares for another major test on Australian soil.
Zac Purton Retains the Ride for The Everest 2026
Zac Purton will once again partner Ka Ying Rising at Randwick, with the Hong Kong jockey aiming to guide the sprinter to a 22nd consecutive victory and a 10th Group 1 success.
The winning sequence has established Ka Ying Rising as one of the outstanding sprinters of the modern era. Another triumph on Saturday would further strengthen his position among the leading performers in international racing.
One question surrounding the preparation has been the possibility of rain-affected ground. Purton has expressed some reservations about how the gelding might respond to Australian soft going, but Hayes remains unconcerned.
The trainer believes the conditions in Hong Kong differ from those in Australia, particularly in the nature of the grass. He pointed to Ka Ying Rising’s efficient, low action as a reason for confidence if the Randwick surface becomes rain-affected.
Hayes also offered a different interpretation of the horse’s recent trial, suggesting that any signs of laboured movement were more likely related to fitness and the need to regain sharpness after five weeks without a trial appearance.
He recalled watching Ka Ying Rising win a trial on heavy ground before purchasing the horse, an experience that continues to shape his assessment of the sprinter’s ability to cope with wet conditions.
While Purton is keeping the possibility in mind, Hayes believes his charge has the physical attributes to handle the challenge.
Ka Ying Rising Faces Strong Australian Opposition
The Everest 2026 will bring together a formidable field of 12 sprinters, with Ka Ying Rising facing 11 leading Australian challengers in his bid to retain the title.
Among the principal names are Tempted, runner-up in the 2025 edition, Joliestar, Jimmysstar and Giga Kick, the winner of the 2022 renewal. Each will provide a significant test in a race where the pace and positioning over 1200m can prove decisive.
Ka Ying Rising arrives in Australia after producing another remarkable performance at Sha Tin, where he set a course record of 1 minute 6.11 seconds over 1200m. The latest mark added to an extraordinary record at the Hong Kong venue, where he has broken the distance record five times.
His achievements have strengthened expectations surrounding his Randwick appearance, although Hayes insists that the horse’s standing should not depend on the outcome of a single race.
The trainer acknowledged that Saturday’s rivals would need to produce exceptional performances while his own charge would have to fall short of his best for an upset to occur.
Hayes described Ka Ying Rising as a generational talent and drew a comparison with Australian sprinting legend Black Caviar, whose unbeaten career established an extraordinary benchmark for the sport.
Rather than making a definitive claim about which horse is superior, Hayes emphasised that Ka Ying Rising belongs in the same conversation.
The Everest 2026: A Chance to Extend a Remarkable Record
Ka Ying Rising made history last year by becoming the first overseas-trained horse to win The Everest, a race contested over 1200m at Randwick. A successful defence would place the sprinter alongside Redzel as a back-to-back winner and add another milestone to an already distinguished career.
The gelding’s current winning streak of 21 races, his course-record performances at Sha Tin and his collection of nine Group 1 victories underline the scale of the achievement he will carry into Saturday’s contest.
The final gallop has given Hayes further encouragement, particularly the horse’s recovery after accelerating over the closing stages. With Purton booked for the ride and the major preparation work completed, attention now turns to the final days before the race.
The possibility of softer ground and the quality of the Australian opposition remain important considerations, but Ka Ying Rising will arrive at Randwick with an exceptional record behind him.
For Hayes, the priority is to ensure that the champion reaches the starting point in the same condition he displayed during Monday’s exercise. If the sprinter reproduces his established level of performance, another historic chapter could follow in Sydney.
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