Ka Ying Rising arrives in Sydney for Everest title defence

Ka Ying Rising has arrived safely in Sydney ahead of his defence of the $20 million Group 1 The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 17.

The David Hayes-trained six-year-old was settling into his Canterbury base on Monday morning after leaving Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ka Ying Rising will make his first public appearance of the campaign in a barrier trial at Randwick on October 6, following the same broad path used before his victory in last year’s 1200-metre sprint.

A five-person team arrived in Sydney a day before the gelding, comprising Hayes’ assistant trainer, rider, groom, veterinarian and farrier. Staff monitored his condition, weight and food intake throughout the journey.

Ka Ying Rising is sharing quarantine with Ka Ying Glory, his retired half-brother. Ka Ying Cheer filled the companion role during last year’s successful Australian campaign.

The sprinter arrives with 21 consecutive wins and a record of 22 victories from 24 starts. He broke his own Sha Tin 1200-metre course record on September 6, running 1:06.11 under 135 pounds in the Group 3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap.

That performance lifted his LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings mark to 135, taking him past Black Caviar’s sprint benchmark.

A private Boeing 747 has been chartered to return him to Hong Kong two days after the race.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that a last-ditch attempt to get French Group 3 winner Primetime Emmy to Australia for The Everest has failed due to transport logistics.