Ka Ying Rising Chases His 22nd Consecutive Victory and Another Historic Everest

The extraordinary Hong Kong sprinter will attempt to repeat his triumph in the world's richest turf race, offering a purse of 20 million Australian dollars. Zac Purton is not concerned about breaking from post 11, but he is worried about the condition of the Randwick track

YDNEY, Australia (Special for Turf Diario).— Ka Ying Rising is one victory away from extending his extraordinary streak to 22 consecutive wins—an unprecedented milestone for a Hong Kong horse. The challenge arrives this Saturday in The Everest (G1-1200 m), the richest turf race on the planet, to be contested at Randwick with a purse of A20million(approximatelyHK20million(approximatelyHK109.5 million).

The defending champion, considered one of the top sprinters in the world, will attempt to replicate the dominant victory he achieved in the 2025 edition, once again with Zac Purton in the irons and under the care of trainer David Hayes. However, two primary factors have drawn the focus of his camp: post position 11 and, most notably, the condition of the ground following heavy rainfall in Sydney over recent days.

Purton, a 9-time champion jockey in Hong Kong, believes that his starting stall does not pose as significant an obstacle as might be assumed.

"I don't think the barrier is too bad. The one that will probably lead, Blue Door (Stay Inside), drawn just inside us, so hopefully we can come across with her and find a spot," he explained.

The jockey also pointed out that turf conditions could alter the advantage of racing near the rails: "With the weather we're having, maybe the inside won't be the place to be. If that's the case, our draw might actually help us."

Much of Ka Ying Rising's early strategy will depend on the actions of Blue Door, a speedy 3-year-old filly trained by Bjorn Baker who will break from stall 9.

Most pre-race analyses agree that Blue Door will look to seize the early lead, a scenario that could allow Purton to track her movement from the outside and secure a favorable position near the pace.

Baker confirmed he has no intention of altering his filly's natural style: "We're not going to change anything with her. She's a very fast filly and we're going to play to her main strengths," he stated.

For Ka Ying Rising, matching that initial surge could prove decisive, particularly in an event where the opening furlongs are routinely contested at breakneck speed.

Regardless, Purton will delay finalizing his tactical plan until inspecting Randwick's condition firsthand on Saturday.

"We'll figure it out on the day. First we'll see how the track is, and hopefully the worst of the rain is behind us so the surface can keep drying out," he noted.

The professional made his primary concern abundantly clear: "On a dry track we know exactly what he can do. On a wet track, we don't know. That's why I'd prefer it dry."

He summarized his outlook with a straightforward assessment: "The barrier is fine. The most important thing is the state of the track."

Rain, the Primary Obstacle

Weather conditions forced significant shifts at Randwick throughout the week.

After receiving 66 millimeters of rain on Tuesday, October 13, the track surface degraded from Good 4 to Heavy 8, signaling very testing ground.

However, by Thursday conditions had improved to Soft 7, and a favorable forecast for the following three days raised hopes for further drying before post time.

That progression will be monitored closely by Ka Ying Rising's connections, given his well-documented superiority on firm ground.

Meanwhile, the horse continued his preparations at Canterbury, where he completed a light exercise on Thursday that left David Hayes fully satisfied.

"He moved very freely and will have another stretch out tomorrow. I'm very happy with him," the trainer confirmed.

Hayes' composure contrasts with the massive anticipation surrounding the sprinter, who enters another edition of The Everest as the headlining star of the meeting.

Giga Kick Aims to Reclaim the Crown

Among the dangerous rivals stands Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), winner of The Everest in 2022 and runner-up in 2024, who will seek to regain top honors.

The Clayton Douglas trainee will break from gate 12, drawn even further out than Ka Ying Rising, with Dylan Gibbons aboard.

His extensive experience at Randwick serves as a core strength: in ten starts over the track, he has collected two wins and four additional top-three finishes.

"He has a great record in this race, so we'll see what happens," Douglas commented. The trainer acknowledged that defeating the favorite will be a monumental task, though he remains confident in his horse's ability against the rest of the field.

"It won't be easy to beat Ka Ying Rising, but compared to the rest, I think Giga Kick is right where he needs to be."

The presence of a past winner alongside several elite sprinters guarantees a fierce contest, though all eyes remain firmly fixed on the Hong Kong visitor.

A Streak Beyond Borders

The primary draw of this edition of The Everest extends far beyond its multi-million-dollar purse. Ka Ying Rising will chase his 22nd consecutive victory, extending a streak that has already cemented his status as a legendary figure in Hong Kong racing history.

His victory in last year's edition proved that his local dominance translates seamlessly to one of the most competitive international arenas, and he now has the opportunity to reaffirm that dominance.

Purton understands his partner's capabilities thoroughly and remains confident that his speed and tactical versatility will overcome the wide draw.

The lone lingering variable remains the course condition, a factor that could shape race dynamics and open doors for his rivals. The Everest is set to jump at 1:15 p.m. Hong Kong time (2:15 a.m. Argentine time).

It will be another test for a horse that has turned winning into a routine. Should Ka Ying Rising prevail once more, he will not only defend his title in the world's richest turf race, but also prolong one of the most remarkable winning streaks in modern racing history.