Everest Win Sparks Debate Over Stewarding and Rematch Prospects
Ka Ying Rising's narrow loss in the Everest at Randwick has sparked debate over stewarding gaps. Trainer Toby Edmonds revealed jockey instructions to push early, while Hong Kong punters bet a record HK$113 million. The race sets up a potential best-of-three decider next year.
The Everest took 68.21 seconds to run, and a week later the race continues to dominate Australian racing's news cycle. Most commentary has focused on the first 20 seconds, when Ka Ying Rising was caught wide without cover, with five horses going flat out inside him. Jockey Zac Purton, in harm-minimisation mode, lost only narrowly, according to reports.
The stewards' Everest report, running to about 100 words, did not mention beaten favourite Ka Ying Rising, and gave only one line to Spicy Martini. Trainer Toby Edmonds later told journalist Steve Hewlett on X that jockey Taylor Marshall was instructed to jump fast and make horses outside him work. When Ka Ying Rising went back, the mare was posted three wide outside Ninja and, in Edmonds's words, 'at her top for too long.'
Hong Kong punters poured a record HK$113 million into the race. The source asks whether, with pools this big, a stewards' report should do more than confirm nothing was untoward, and should explain why things happened to help analysts look past questions about Purton's riding. Sydney has long been the standard setter for stewarding, having produced officials who moved to Hong Kong, including current chief steward Marc Van Gestel.
Former Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys built The Everest to drag attention to a wavering Sydney spring. The 10th running delivered, while the same day's Caulfield Cup was overshadowed by a fall that cost Ohope Wins her life. The Melbourne spring is under pressure and its major races have become lightning rods for the animal rights debate.
The score between Tempted and Ka Ying Rising is now one-all. There is a chance both go unbeaten for the next 12 months and arrive at Randwick for a best-of-three decider, something racing rarely offers. Tempted's performance, racing against pattern and holding on, was extraordinary, but whether she can repeat it remains to be seen.