Ka Ying comes up short in bid for second Everest win
Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising lost his first race in 22 starts on Saturday after being stunned by Tempted on a soft track at the world's richest turf race, The Everest, in Sydney. The six-year-old gelding, with Zac Purton in the saddle, was a huge favourite but drew an outside barrier and was unable to get the job done at Royal Randwick, finishing second. Tempted, last year's runner-up to Ka…
Ka Ying Rising, a Hong Kong sensation, failed to secure a second victory in the prestigious Everest race on Saturday. The six-year-old gelding, ridden by Zac Purton, was outpaced by the formidable Tempted, who emerged as the winner. Despite being the overwhelming favorite, Ka Ying Rising started from an outside barrier and struggled to keep up with the competition.
Tempted, ridden by Chad Schofield, took the lead and crossed the finish line first, claiming a staggering A$7 million prize. Joliestar, trained by Chris Waller, secured third place. Chris Waller's trainer, Ciaron Maher, expressed his delight with Tempted's performance, acknowledging the mare's exceptional abilities and the challenging track conditions.
The four-year-old Tempted had been unbeaten since the previous year's Everest race, raising concerns about the soft track's potential impact on Ka Ying Rising, who primarily raced on firm surfaces in Hong Kong. Tempted's victory marked the biggest race of her life, as she outpaced the world's best thoroughbreds over the 1,200-meter distance.
The Everest, described as the world's richest turf race, brought together 12 top sprinters under weight-for-age conditions, with a prize pool totaling A$20 million. Even the last-placed horse secured A$700,000, making it the most lucrative horse racing event globally, surpassing the Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
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- Ka Ying comes up short in bid for second Everest win news.rthk.hk
