Ka Ying Rising remains $20 million Everest hotpot despite being beaten in Randwick trial on Tuesday morning

Despite being beaten in a Randwick trial on Tuesday morning, David Hayes and Zac Purton remain staunch that Ka Ying Rising is better than last year as the world’s best sprinter attempts a $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) defence at the track on October 17.

In Tuesday’s 1000m heat, Ka Ying Rising exploded out under Purton to lead by two lengths before Ninja closed the margin around the final bend.

With 100m to go on the Soft7-rated circuit, Ninja asserted and moved on to take a long-head victory though both horses were largely untested.

Ka Ying Rising is a raging $1.35 fancy and Ninja $21 for The Everest, while fellow confirmed slot holder Headwall ($21) finished fourth.

Doubt reigned in the headline galloper’s preparation when he finished only third in the corresponding trial last year prior to his Everest triumph.

Trainer David Hayes was much more comfortable this time with the work of his star conveyance, who has won 21-straight.

“He had a really good look around, as he did last year, and I think the longer grass and the soft surface was not ideal, but it was good,” Hayes said.

“He had a good healthy blow, a good sweat, and it will bring him on a lot, I think. I was happier this year than last year.

“The thing about the sweat is that he sweated a lot less this year, and I expect on race day, he’ll be much calmer.

“Like last year, the next 10 days are critical, and we’re looking forward to having a week in Sydney.

“(My staff) feel that he’s settled in a lot better this year, and they’re confident that he’ll be ready on race day.”

Purton agreed with Hayes’ appraisal and said there was more under the hood if he had asked.

“I think he handled himself better in the trial this morning (than last year),” Purton said.

“He got around there with a little bit more purpose and I liked it when the other horse (Ninja) came to him. He wanted to fight with it.

“But we’ll wait for race day to let him go.”

It was also announced that Pride Of Jenni will forgo a Cox Plate bid in favour of contesting the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick on Everest Day.

Meanwhile, William Pike has picked up a book of five black-type mounts this weekend in Melbourne, including the steers on Tornado Valley in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and Panova in the Toorak Handicap (1600m).

Both those events are at Group 1 level, and he will also ride Enxuto in the Weekend Hussler (1400m), Zakouma in the Herbert Power (2400m) and Rey Magnerio in the Schillaci Stakes (1100m).

Cosmic Crusader, whom Pike rode to victory in the Turnbull Stakes last weekend, is the new Caulfield Cup favourite at $6 despite being unconfirmed by connections whether he will start in the race.

He remains a $7 chance for the Cox Plate.