Barrier 11 No Concern for Ka Ying Rising But Wet Weather Worries David Hayes
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
David Hayes has shrugged off concerns about Ka Ying Rising's wide barrier 11 draw for Saturday's Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick, pointing to a potential silver lining for jockey Zac Purton. The barrier draw took place at Luna Park on Sydney Harbour on Tuesday night. While Hayes views the gate position as manageable, the prospect of rain and a wet track has emerged as his primary worry for the HK$100 million prize. Ka Ying Rising will attempt to become the first horse to win The Everest from barrier 11, with Purton set to load second-last under the Australian barrier loading system.
Key Points
- Ka Ying Rising drew barrier 11 at Tuesday night's ceremony at Luna Park on Sydney Harbour, the second widest gate available
- David Hayes expressed confidence the wide draw could actually suit Zac Purton, who typically loads last in Hong Kong and has shown gate anxiety
- The Australian barrier loading method means Purton will enter the gates second-last, potentially reducing his fidgeting issues
- Hayes identified wet track conditions as his main concern for Saturday's race, more so than the barrier draw
- Ka Ying Rising is bidding to become the first horse to win The Everest from barrier 11
Why It Matters
A victory would cement Ka Ying Rising's status as one of the world's premier sprinters and validate the horse's ability to compete internationally against Australian-trained opposition. The result will also test whether Hong Kong's racing programme can consistently produce horses capable of winning at the highest level abroad, reinforcing the city's position in global horse racing.
A victory would cement Ka Ying Rising's status as one of the world's premier sprinters and validate the horse's ability to compete internationally against Australian-trained opposition. The result will also test whether Hong Kong's racing programme can consistently produce horses capable of winning at the highest level abroad, reinforcing the city's position in global horse racing.