Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising has returned home to quarantine after finishing second as a $1.35 favourite in The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 17, 2026, where barrier 11 and a wide run cost the world’s top-rated sprinter victory.
The global racing powerhouse Godolphin and trainer Ciaron Maher celebrated an upset victory when Tempted held off a fierce late charge to win the $20 million event. Ridden by Chad Schofield on his Everest debut, the mare led by two lengths with about 200 meters remaining before Ka Ying Rising unleashed his trademark finish, coming up just half a neck short on a Soft 7 yielding track.
Barrier 11 and the Wide Randwick Run
Trainer David Hayes watched from Caulfield as his stable star faced a difficult passage from the outside gate. Ka Ying Rising was forced to settle much further back than anticipated and covered significant ground without cover, ending his remarkable 21-race winning streak in Hong Kong and Australia.
We didn’t expect him to be there, but it was the barrier. Sometimes eleven can be a bonus, but he got caught wide. He settled a bit further back than thought, and if we have to take a positive out of it, he was in front one stride after the post.
Zac Purton defended his tactical decisions after social media lit up with criticism from punters who had heavily backed the champion. Ka Ying Rising started as the best-backed favourite in Everest history, drawing 70 percent of money invested on the World Pool tote at a remarkably short $1.04 and $1.35 with bookmakers.
The moment we drew (barrier) 11, our hand was dealt a bit. Nobody would have predicted the leaders would go out as quick as they did… If I rode the ears off my horse to be up there with them, he may have collapsed and fallen in a hole as well.
Tempted Claims Historic Upset Victory
While punters absorbed heavy losses on the short-priced favourite, Tempted produced the greatest performance of her career to turn the tables on Ka Ying Rising, who had defeated her in last year’s edition of the race. Schofield admitted he changed his usual tactics for the mare because of the opposition.
I normally just ride her to relax and trust her to be far too good late. But it was a different race today. We had obviously the world’s best sprinter, world’s best horse in it. I had eyes for him. I knew he wasn’t up there and I sort of held my spot and kept him deep.
Cambridge Stud-owned mare Joliestar secured a close-up third place for jockey James McDonald, while New Zealand-owned runner Jimmysstar finished sixth after drifting too far back early.
Sha Tin Quarantine and Spring Goals
Hayes confirmed that Ka Ying Rising pulled up fine following the trip and flew back to Hong Kong on Monday to resume preparations for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
The stable’s primary targets remain unchanged. Ka Ying Rising is pointed toward the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint on November 22, before aiming for a third victory in the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint on December 13. Looking further ahead into 2027, the sprinter is also prepared for the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize on April 25, and TAB has already installed him as the early $1.90 favourite to win The Everest in 2027.