With the TAB Everest around the corner, many of the competition’s trainers joined Giddy Up with Gareth Hall on SEN Track & RSN to discuss their horse’s chances.

The best sprinter in the world, Ka Ying Rising, once again spearheads a stacked field for the 10th edition of the richest show on turf.

David Hayes

Ka Ying Rising

Ka Ying Rising’s return to Sydney has involved a trial defeat at the hands of Ninja, and worries surrounding weather, but the champion is still extremely well backed to win back-to-back TAB Everests.

Trainer David Hayes too shares the confidence of the punters but is fearful of sustained rain and a heavy track.

“He did his final piece of work this morning … he worked well,” he said.

“The ground was probably yielding, and he moved beautifully on it, wanting to go faster.

“Two minutes after the piece of work you wouldn’t know he worked.

“We can’t have him better … he is absolutely perfect.

“We are just sort of keeping one eye on the weather.

“If the track is like it was this morning, then not at all concerned.

“Probably the one thing we are worrying about and can’t do anything about it is the weather.

Zac Purton was described by Hayes and Hall with love as a bit of a pessimist eying down the negatives of any given situation, which also attributes to why he is so calculated on the saddle of Ka Ying Rising.

“Zac (Purton) is less confident on slow to heavy then I am,” Hayes said.

“I think he is pretty good on everything.”

“The good thing about Zac (Purton) is that he rises to the occasion, and the occasion doesn’t get to him.”

“Once I put Zac (Purton) on I try to relax, because he gets the job done.

“He’s done it 21 times in a row.

“He gets it right, and I wouldn’t want anyone else on the horse.”

Ka Ying Rising is the short price favourite at $1.50 to win the richest race on turf for the second consecutive year.

Jack Turnbull – Assistant Trainer Ciaron Maher Racing

Tempted

Tempted is the most liked chance to rival Ka Ying Rising, Gareth Hall asked Turnbull if he was happy with the draw of barrier 1.

“I guess we are,” he said.

“My query would be that time of the day (Race 7), where do you want to be, is that (the inside) inferior ground.

“She is a freak and she is going really well; she is second favourite only to the best sprinter in the world.

“She gets through soft ground so there is plenty to like.” Tempted is the second favourite for the TAB Everest quoted at $5 to dethrone the Hong Kong champion.

Jimmysstar

Jimmysstar returns to the track off a three-week back-up from the Group 1 Manikato Stakes win to contest the TAB Everest.

“Jimmy is good, he has had a carbon copy lead up to this race as he did with his win last start,” Turnbull said.

“The team is very happy, blinkers stay on.

“I think we are better off being out there (barrier 8), if he does step a bit slow, which he can, we can dictate.

“He generally quickens better around horses than inside.”

Jimmysstar is currently quoted at $13 to win the TAB Everest.

Clayton Douglas

Giga Kick

“He seems like he is in good order,” he said.

“I can’t fault him, and hopefully this rain keeps coming.

“He probably is (the forgotten horse), on this wet ground if it does come, that will probably spike a bit more interest.

“We know he loves soft ground and he will hopefully get that Saturday.”

For the first time in his legendary career, Giga Kick will have the gear change of blinkers.

“First time with the blinkers on,” Douglas said.

History tells you that putting the blinkers on a horse that hasn’t needed it in its career at this age, it can be a recipe for success, Hall suggested.

Douglas remains confident that his champion can run well Saturday.

“He is obviously coming in off two inconclusive runs, but I can’t fault him,” he said.

“It all depends how much rain we get.

“I am sure he will run very well, he has never let me done before.

“He has got a great record at 1200m at Randwick. But obviously we have a fair mountain to climb with Ka Ying Rising.”

Giga Kick is paying $35 to win and $5.50 a place.

Bjorn Baker

Blue Door

Bjorn Baker has given his three-year-old filly a good wrap for Saturday but acknowledges she is swimming in deep waters.

“She’s thrown in the deep end, but she is the youth in the race.”

“Only the four starts, she won first start of one trial at 1100m in the (Group 3) Kindergarten (Stakes) on a soft track.

“I do think she gets through a wet track pretty well.

“She’s been on firm tracks and been close to the track record in the last couple at Rosehill.

“I do think she has had a perfect preparation up to the 1200m.

“Gets in with no weight, of course Jamie Melham who is one of the top jockeys in the country and one of the best jockeys undoubtedly that can ride the weight.

“I have got a bit of confidence, she’s got a real fitness base and she has got speed.

“If she doesn’t lead, I expect she will be very close to it.”

Blue Door is paying $21 to win and $3.50 to place in the TAB Everest.

Caballus

The Group 1 Newmarket winner will run in the TAB Everest Saturday, and trainer Bjorn Baker thinks at his best he can run well.

“(It is a) big weather watch,” Baker said.

“I think he is going better than his first up run.

“He looks great, I would prefer to see him on a good track.

“A lot will depend on how the next two days go (weather wise).

“I think even prior to the Newmarket he was very good when he came second to Jolliestar, if we can get back to that sort of form.

“I have got a feeling he is building that way and he might not be completely out of it for a first half finish.”

Caballus is the widest horse in the field at $126 to win and $15.25 to place. But if you like Bjorn Baker’s front half of the field bet (Top 6) it is quoted at $5.25.

All prices thanks to Sportsbet

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