Ka Ying Rising bids Sydney farewell
Ka Ying Rising set off for the airport in a truck just after 6pm with groom Hao Chan Kwong and companion Ka Ying Cheer, the horse who will travel to Melbourne and be trained by Hayes’ sons Will, Ben and JD.
Purton said he was still responding to more than 1,000 messages on his phone and the hit-and-run trip to Sydney would only improve the horse, especially as he was now stepping out of his comfort zone and performing accordingly.
Zac Purton rides Ka Ying Rising to victory on the Everest at Randwick on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
According to Hayes, Ka Ying Rising has won 15 of the 17 races he has started his career, including the last 14, and even at five years old he can be somewhat faster.
“If they’re taken care of when they’re young and they’re healthy and sound, their peak years are probably six and seven years,” he said.
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“Look, Mr Brightside, Fields Of Omagh, Super Impose, even Niconero were all racing well when they were eight and nine.
“If he stays intact, I think we’ll have a great ride. He’s a rare animal that needs to be taken care of.”
As the Hong Kong Jockey Club paid for the slot on Everest with Ka Ying Rising, Hayes said it was only fair that he respected their wishes and brought him home to prepare for their international meeting before Christmas.
A fantastic 50,167 punters with an average age of just 26 and Ka Ying Rising’s big race performance helped create an absolutely thrilling atmosphere at Sydney’s racing heartland.
