Ka Ying Rising set to dodge Flemington in favour of second run in Sydney
The world's best sprinter will be set for the Russell Balding Stakes at Rosehill, with Racing Victoria's tough protocols prompting the move away from the Champions Sprint
David Hayes has revealed plans to give Ka Ying Rising another run in Sydney after The Everest (1,200m), with Racing Victoria's strict veterinary protocols prompting the move to bypass the Group One Champions Sprint (1,200m) at Flemington.
Rated the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising will be set for the A$3 million (HK$15 million) Russell Balding Stakes (1,300m) at Rosehill on November 1 – two weeks after the world's richest race on turf, the A$20 million The Everest at Randwick.
Adding to the lure of the Russell Balding Stakes is an A$1 million bonus if a horse wins that race after snaring The Everest.
While Ka Ying Rising has to pass scans to depart Hong Kong for Sydney, Racing Victoria's tough procedures – introduced in 2021 after a spate of fatal injuries suffered by internationals in the Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) – would force the superstar to undergo further scans and assessments to be cleared to race in Melbourne.
HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚀
Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/IvPSPH9pcn — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025
'The race after The Everest carries a bonus for The Everest winner. It means he doesn't have to do any extra travelling and doesn't have to go through the protocols again to run in Melbourne, so the protocols made my decision very easy,' Hayes said.
'It's a rule that needs to be looked at and reviewed, but it's the rule at the moment so while the rule's in place, I won't consider Melbourne. I would understand if it's his first run in Australia but it's not.
'I would have dearly loved to have shown him off in Victoria – it's my hometown and it would have been great to run there, but the protocols aren't making it favourable.
'I'm not asking for any favours, but I think they should review the rule. I think it's overkill. The horse has to go to hospital to have the tests, which normally healthy horses aren't in hospital, he has to travel which is another risk, have a day away from his routine feed and be tranquillised to have it done, so it's quite an ordeal.'
Fresh from 12 consecutive wins in Hong Kong, capped by his Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) success last month, Ka Ying Rising is the odds-on favourite in overseas markets for The Everest.
Negotiations for a slot in the mega-rich sprint are set to heat up, with the Jockey Club a potential player in buying a slot in the race.
Ka Ying Rising departed Sha Tin on Monday, with the four-time Group One winner set for a six-week break up at Conghua.
Hayes also confirmed his Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Rubylot will continue his campaign in the final Group One of the Hong Kong season, the Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) on May 25.
Hugh Bowman will again ride the four-year-old after his unlucky sixth to Tastiera in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m).
'I think he could have easily run a place – he didn't get much luck. Hughie thought he'd stay a mile and a half very easily because he relaxes so well,' Hayes said.
Zac Purton has been booked for the Champions & Chater Cup ride on John Size's consistent galloper Ensued, who was the first local horse home when fourth in the QE II Cup.
'He'll be a good chance. It looks as if it's going to be a stronger race than we thought it was going to be with the internationals coming, but he's honest,' Purton said.
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