A wet week leading up to a major race day often dampens spirits, but for those connected to Ka Ying Rising’s rivals in The Everest, it has provided a glimmer of hope.
While the world’s leading horse remains a firm $1.50 favourite for Saturday’s $20 million sprint, questions surrounding his performance on a wet track have slightly diminished his aura of invincibility.
This is enough to give contenders like jockey Tommy Berry, whose mount Ninja boasts two victories and a placing from three starts on rain-affected ground, a reason to believe it’s not merely a race for second place behind the Hong Kong star.
“The beauty of the rain being around is it gives everyone a chance to dare to dream a little bit,” Berry remarked.
“If the track was firm, it would probably be a non-event with what he’s done in the past, but he didn’t trial his best on soft going, and he didn’t look overly comfortably.”
Berry’s insight is valuable. He partnered Ninja in that 1000m Randwick trial where the four-year-old drew level with and then edged past Ka Ying Rising to win the heat on a soft 7-rated track.
Although barrier trials and the pressure of race day differ significantly, Berry observed that Ka Ying Rising appeared uncomfortable in the conditions, which are largely unfamiliar to the gelding, as 23 of his 24 previous starts were on firm tracks.
“I noticed he wasn’t overly comfortable in it,” Berry stated.
“He just wasn’t able to open the field up in that trial, which is what ‘Ka Ying’s’ best efforts are all about.
“I’m under no illusion. Wet track, dry track, he’s going to be extremely hard to beat. It just allows us to dare to dream a bit more that we’ve got a shot at finishing right up there with him.”
Ninja was the inaugural selection for The Everest and will represent the slot held by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, a part-owner of the gelding.
Berry emphasized the critical importance of Ninja jumping well from barrier three, and he is encouraged by the fact that Ninja has previously won over 1400m at Group level. Saturday’s running of The Everest (1200m) is expected to be run at a genuine pace, thanks to the speed of filly Blue Door and Ka Ying Rising.
“With Blue Door and Ka Ying, the way they like to run their races, if it’s a soft track it’s going to make it a test,” Berry commented.
“If you go through every one of my bloke’s replays, he’s never had a horse come from behind him and go past him. He’s very competitive. He’s a line chaser, and if anything comes for him, he lifts.”
Ninja marks Berry’s seventh participation in The Everest, with his previous best results being a second place with Masked Crusader in 2021 and a third with Osborne Bulls in 2018. Consider exploring the Australian betting sites for potential wagers on this exciting race.