Ka Ying Rising has drawn barrier 11 for Saturday’s $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick, with Godolphin mare Tempted jumping from the inside gate in the 12-horse field.
The barrier draw was held on Tuesday evening at Luna Park in Sydney. Breednet, racenet and the Hong Kong Jockey Club published the full field after the draw.
David Hayes’ Hong Kong champion, ridden by Zac Purton, will attempt to become the first international to win The Everest twice. Ka Ying Rising won the race from barrier 7 in 2025 and carries 58.5kg again this year.
Hayes told the Hong Kong Jockey Club he was comfortable with the wide gate because of how horses are loaded at Randwick.
“I know Zac will be happy because he goes in second last, with the Australian way they load. In Hong Kong, he normally goes in last and he’s a bit fidgety in the gates, and that’s the little thing that can go wrong,” Hayes said.
“He’s so fast, he can cruise across. If the tempo’s too fast for him, he’ll sit second or third, and if it’s not fast, he’ll lead.”
Read more: Angel Capital Confirmed for Yulong’s Everest Slot
Tempted draws the fence
Ciaron Maher’s Tempted, second in last year’s Everest and unbeaten since, drew barrier 1 with Chad Schofield in the saddle at 56.5kg. Racenet listed Tempted as the pre-draw second favourite.
Jimmysstar (barrier 8, Nash Rawiller) and Ninja (barrier 3, Tommy Berry) were the other runners under $20 on TAB markets before the draw, according to racenet. Chris Waller’s Joliestar jumps from barrier 5 with James McDonald.
Former Everest winner Giga Kick drew the widest gate (12) for Clayton Douglas and Dylan Gibbons. Angel Capital, confirmed midweek for Yulong’s slot, has drawn barrier 2 with Ben Melham.
Hayes said rain and track rating were a bigger concern than barrier 11 after Randwick took rain on Tuesday, telling the Hong Kong Jockey Club he would be “more worried about a heavy 10 than barrier 11”.
Read more: Caulfield Cup 2026 Field and Barriers: Cosmic Crusader Draws 17
The Everest 2026 field and barriers
- 1. Ka Ying Rising (barrier 11), 58.5kg. Trainer: David Hayes. Jockey: Zac Purton.
- 2. Jimmysstar (barrier 8), 58.5kg. Trainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Nash Rawiller.
- 3. Giga Kick (barrier 12), 58.5kg. Trainer: Clayton Douglas. Jockey: Dylan Gibbons.
- 4. Angel Capital (barrier 2), 58.5kg. Trainer: Chris Waller. Jockey: Ben Melham.
- 5. Caballus (barrier 10), 58.5kg. Trainer: Bjorn Baker. Jockey: Tim Clark.
- 6. Headwall (barrier 6), 58.5kg. Trainer: Matthew Smith. Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy.
- 7. Ninja (barrier 3), 58.5kg. Trainer: Michael Freedman. Jockey: Tommy Berry.
- 8. Joliestar (barrier 5), 56.5kg. Trainer: Chris Waller. Jockey: James McDonald.
- 9. Tempted (barrier 1), 56.5kg. Trainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Chad Schofield.
- 10. Spicy Martini (barrier 4), 56.5kg. Trainer: Toby Edmonds. Jockey: Taylor Marshall.
- 11. Savvy Hallie (barrier 7), 56.5kg. Trainer: Brad Widdup. Jockey: Zac Lloyd.
- 12. Blue Door (barrier 9), 51kg. Trainer: Bjorn Baker. Jockey: Jamie Melham.
The Everest is run over 1200m at Royal Randwick on Saturday 17 October, the same afternoon as the Caulfield Cup.
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