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Star sprinter Ka Ying Rising wins world's richest turf race, The Everest / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
NYSE - LSE
Star sprinter Ka Ying Rising wins world's richest turf race, The Everest
Hong Kong superstar and raging favourite Ka Ying Rising, ridden by Zac Purton, won his 14th in a row Saturday by crossing the line first in the world's richest turf race, The Everest, in Sydney.
The David Hayes-trained five-year-old stormed through the field in the final 100 metres at Royal Randwick to win by a length and collect a whopping Aus$7.0 million (US$4.7 million) for barely a one-minute dash.
Tempted, with Craig Williams in the saddle, came second ahead of Jimmysstar, ridden by Ethan Brown.
Rated as the best sprinter on the planet, Ka Ying Rising has now won 15 of his 17 starts, including the last 14, almost always with Purton at the helm.
That includes four wins at Group 1 level before The Everest. In the only two races the gelding lost, he came second.
"He got a little bit edgy in the gate because he was in there for probably longer than what he's used to," said Purton, who jetted in from Hong Kong to steer him home from barrier seven.
"But to his credit, he still began well, he just had a beautiful run in the race."
Jimmysstar flew out of the blocks and led early. But Ka Ying Rising was always lurking and powered clear in the final stretch.
"It makes you a little bit emotional. You appreciate it more now, because it's nearly over," added Hong Kong champion jockey Purton, who is 42 and in the twilight of his career
"I'm just so lucky. I've had such a good career. I've been really, really lucky to have this horse come along now and it's a great way to close it (career) when I do close it."
Raced over 1,200 metres (3/4 mile or six furlongs), The Everest brought together 12 of the world's best sprinters under weight-for-age conditions.
The showcase event of the Sydney Spring Carnival, it is the world's richest on turf with a prize pool of Aus$20 million (US$13 million) and the second-richest thoroughbred race behind the Saudi Cup, which is held on dirt.
Its winnings dwarf those from the established Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Even last-placed Magic Time walked away with Aus$700,000.
"So excited. I can't wait to watch the replay," said Hayes, who called it a "crowning moment" in his career.
"I thought for a moment he was going to get hemmed in, but Zac is pretty good at getting out.
"It was a long way down that straight, but when he got clear I thought they were going to have to be pretty good to beat him."
Under an innovative concept, buyers purchase a Aus$700,000 slot in the race, then do a deal with owners and jockeys to secure the top horses, splitting the prize money, with the race capped at 12 horses.
The idea was modelled on the Pegasus World Cup in the United States, run over 1,800m.
F.Criscuolo--INP
