Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) ran a solid, close-up third in his pre-Everest trial at Randwick on Tuesday, with the world’s champion sprinter cruising into the minor placing under a hold behind 3-year-old Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) and $10.5 million earner and dual Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass (Vancouver).
Plenty in the crowd were keen to catch their first glimpse of the outstanding Hong Kong sprinter, who enjoyed the strong hit-out and clocked a fast time ahead of the $20 million feature Saturday week. The line-up was stacked with quality equine talent with big targets ahead in the coming weeks.
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Linebacker took the trial in a sharp 58.39 seconds, with the last 600 metres in a slick 33.67. The winning margin was a narrow 0.07l over Overpass, with just 0.16l back to the son of Per Incanto (USA), Ka Ying Rising, in third.
The 10-time Group 1 winner and King Charles III Stakes hopeful Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) was just under five lengths behind the winner in fourth. Joliestar (Zoustar) trialled nicely ahead of Fangirl (Sebring), while Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) was a touch keen throughout but still looked to be moving well.
Most runners were understandably given a quiet hit-out to stretch their legs in preparation for their respective Group 1 targets - The G1 The Everest and the G1 King Charles III Stakes.
Zac Purton after the Trial at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Jockey Zac Purton gave his immediate reaction to SENTrack following the trial, where Ka Ying Rising was held together but asked to extend his work past the line for fitness:
“He hasn’t had a run for a month. and he hasn’t done too much serious work in that amount of time, so it was the first time he’s done anything competitive in a while,” Purton said.
“He (Ka Ying Rising) hasn’t had a run for a month ..., so it was the first time he’s done anything competitive in a while.” - Zac Purton
“The track was a little bit soft for him, he’s not totally at home on that ground. But I thought he trialled well enough. I was hoping he would have changed his leg, he didn’t, but that’s him.”
When asked whether there were any concerns heading into The Everest, Purton said:
“No, I think he’ll come on a bit from that.
“Obviously it’s going to be a competitive race. The horses in Australia are peaking at the right time, so hopefully we can draw a good gate and get a dry track, and I’m sure he’ll improve a bit off that. It’s going to be a good race to watch, isn’t it”
David Hayes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Trainer David Hayes echoed the belief that the gelding would take significant benefit from the trial as he told media:
“It was a good solid trial, but he did need it,” Hayes said.
“He blew a few cobwebs out and he’ll really come on a lot for that and he’ll have a nice gallop on Monday and he’ll be right for the big one.”
“He (Ka Ying Rising) blew a few cobwebs out and he’ll really come on a lot for that and he’ll have a nice gallop on Monday and he’ll be right for the big one.” - David Hayes
When asked about Ka Ying Rising’s behaviour in the parade ring, where he appeared a touch hot and was having a good look around, Hayes added:
“At Sha Tin he gets very edgy in the mornings going through the tunnels with all the horses, and when Zac, or whoever is riding him, drops over his neck he relaxes straight away,’’ Hayes said.
“I think that was a bit typical of Ka Ying today. He will be better on race day, but he’ll have to be, because there’s going to be 50,000 people here.
“He really needed a dress rehearsal, he was a bit fresh in the pre-parade, it's been a big help for him.”
“He (Ka Ying Rising) really needed a dress rehearsal, he was a bit fresh in the pre-parade, it's been a big help for him.” - David Hayes
Hayes also noted:
“He’s about 20 pounds above his racing weight, and I’ll expect it (his weight) to come down a bit in the next week.”
Mayfair looks ready for his new connections
Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) was an impressive winner of Heat 2, an open trial over 1200 metres. He cleared out by just over three and a half lengths to defeat Sun God (GB) (Fastnet Rock), with House Of Cards (Exceed And Excel) a narrow third.
In the hands of Joshua Parr, Mayfair controlled the trial from the front. This was his second public appearance for new trainer Bjorn Baker, following a third placing last month behind stablemate Caballus (I Am Invincible).
Video: Watch Mayfair race replay at Randwick trials, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Also catching the eye was the Chris Waller-trained Sun God, who trialled sharply for a horse typically better over further. He settled well back, made strong ground late, and was clearly enjoying the work under Tommy Berry.
A $625,000 Magic Millions graduate, Mayfair previously won at Rosehill and was placed in the G3 San Domenico Stakes, G3 Ming Dynasty Handicap, and the G1 Golden Rose. He was bought by Darby Racing for $200,000 in the Inglis Digital July Early Sale and hopes to join a growing list of successful Darby-tried horse purchases trained by Baker.
His dam Cicatrix (USA) (Violence {USA}) was a Listed winner in America over 1200 metres, and since leaving Mayfair, has also produced a 3-year-old colt named Isle Of Wight (I Am Invincible), and two fillies by Extreme Choice. She unfortunately missed to Extreme Choice last spring
Mayfair as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ostraka trials sharply
Well-established sprinter Ostraka (Pariah) looked in fine order, winning Heat 3, an open trial over 1050 metres.
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, the gelding has been in strong form this prep - running third behind Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) and Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) in the G3 Concorde Stakes, before a solid sixth in the G2 The Shorts, beaten just over four and a half lengths by Joliestar (Zoustar) and Briasa (Smart Missile), who has since franked the form with a G2 Premiere Stakes win.
Video: Watch Ostraka race replay at Randwick trials, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Under Chad Schofield, Ostraka settled behind a genuine tempo set by Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}) and Libertad (Russian Revolution), before peeling out in the straight and proving too strong late.
Caballus (I Am Invincible) looked in strong form as he prepares for his resuming run this spring. He ran on well for second, charging down the outside to nab Libertad for second, just over a length from the winner.
Ostraka is one of two stakes winners from broodmare Madame Andree (War Emblem {USA}), also the dam of Group 3 winner and Widden Stud sire Anders. She has since produced a 3-year-old filly named Caffe Florian (Snitzel), a yearling filly by the same sire, and is due to foal again to Snitzel this month.
Rapid Progress shines in juvenile heat
The Tommy Wong-trained juvenile Rapid Progress, a colt by Yes Yes Yes, impressed in the 740-metre 2-year-old heat, scoring by just over half a length.
The well-bred Apostle (NZ) (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) jumped well from the inside and held the lead, while Rapid Progress raced wide in second. On turning, Apostle kicked clear, but under Chad Lever, Rapid Progress levelled out strongly and ran home well.
Helldeeva (Hellbent) tracked the winner and finished a close second, while Apostle held third. Pearl Of Dubai (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and successful sire Pride Of Dubai, was a sound fourth in a quiet, educational trial, not being asked for much of an effort under Tommy Berry.
Rapid Progress was a $12,000 buy by Amy Feng from Bowness Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 2.
He is out of the four-time winning Written Tycoon mare Shrug, and hails from the family of Group 2 winner The Justice League (NZ), and Listed New Zealand St Leger winner Sergeant Blast (NZ). Shrug has since produced a Zousain filly, and she was served by D’Argento last spring.
Rapid Progress as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
