Everest: Ka Ying Rising draws 11, Tempted draws 1
The 13 October Everest draw placed Ka Ying Rising in stall 11, Tempted in one, Joliestar in five and Jimmysstar in eight. The race takes place over 1,200 metres at Randwick on 17 October.
Aletaq’s post-draw analysis: the defending champion needs an economical move across from the outside, while Tempted must preserve room to accelerate from the inside. The draw alone is not decisive; pace and ground determine the value of position.
Ka Ying Rising completed his final fast work at Canterbury on Monday 12 October before The Everest at Randwick on Saturday 17 October. David Hayes praised his recovery after a 1,000-metre gallop that built into a quicker closing section.
Rain remains a preparation question: Zac Purton expressed reservations about soft Australian ground, while Hayes voiced confidence in the horse’s ability to cope. Those different assessments do not settle the outcome of Saturday’s race.
The NSW Government announced on 9 October that Everest Day at Randwick on Saturday 17 October 2026 had sold out. Citing Racing NSW, it reported a record 52,000 tickets sold, 2,000 more than the previous year. This is a pre-event ticket-sales figure, not an actual attendance count.
Royal Randwick in Sydney stages The Everest on Saturday 17 October 2026. The Group 1 sprint is run over 1,200 metres on turf and offers AUD 20 million in advertised prize money. This is the race purse, not an individual horse’s career earnings.
The Everest uses twelve participation slots whose holders select the horses that represent them. A slot holder is not necessarily the horse’s owner, so slot-holder names should not replace ownership records.
Aletaq analysis: follow the transition from trial to race with attention to distance, ground and the horse’s behaviour. Preparation offers evidence about adaptation and readiness, while sprint performance should be assessed within the 1,200-metre division rather than compared directly with middle-distance achievements.
Final field
Horse numbers and stalls follow the official acceptance list; saddlecloth numbers differ from stall numbers.
| Saddlecloth no. | Barrier | Horse | Slot holder | Trainer | Likely rider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Ka Ying Rising | Hong Kong Jockey Club | David Hayes | Zac Purton |
| 2 | 8 | Jimmysstar | TAB | Ciaron Maher | Nash Rawiller |
| 3 | 12 | Giga Kick | Coolmore | Clayton Douglas | Dylan Gibbons |
| 4 | 2 | Angel Capital | Yulong Investments | Chris Waller | Ben Melham |
| 5 | 10 | Caballus | James Harron Bloodstock | Bjorn Baker | Tim Clark |
| 6 | 6 | Headwall | Neil Werrett & Partners | Matthew Smith | Kerrin McEvoy |
| 7 | 3 | Ninja | Fairway Thoroughbreds | Michael Freedman | Tommy Berry |
| 8 | 5 | Joliestar | Chris Waller Racing | Chris Waller | James McDonald |
| 9 | 1 | Tempted | Godolphin | Ciaron Maher | Chad Schofield |
| 10 | 4 | Spicy Martini | Inglis | Toby Edmonds | Taylor Marshall |
| 11 | 7 | Savvy Hallie | Mulberry Racing | Brad Widdup | Zac Lloyd |
| 12 | 9 | Blue Door | Newgate/GPI-RACING | Bjorn Baker | Jamie Melham |
Who can win the Everest?
Aletaq’s assessment places Ka Ying Rising at the head of the contenders, with Tempted, Jimmysstar and Joliestar among the serious challengers. The analysis weighs distance and course performance against preparation form. It is a provisional editorial judgement, not a calculated win probability.
Ka Ying Rising
His previous Everest title and Sha Tin course record over 1,200 metres support his candidacy through distance performance and Randwick experience. His strength goes beyond a winning sequence: he has transferred his form from Hong Kong to Australia.
What could change the assessment?
Ground, race tempo and the new draw remain important. One barrier trial alone should not overturn an assessment based on an established career.
Tempted
Second in the 2025 Everest and a recent 1,200-metre Premiere Stakes win combine race experience with current Randwick preparation. Her unbeaten 2026 campaign supports the case that she has progressed since the previous edition.
What could change the assessment?
The test is matching the defending champion in a strong field. Clear running and acceleration timing matter alongside previous victories.
Jimmysstar
A recent Manikato win and third in the 2025 Everest support him through Group 1 form and direct race experience. His All Aged victory also demonstrated acceleration once a clear path opened.
What could change the assessment?
Delayed running room or a wide move could reduce the value of his finishing acceleration. The draw must be interpreted alongside the positions of early-speed runners.
Joliestar
Winning the T.J. Smith over 1,200 metres at Randwick is more directly relevant than an achievement over a different trip. Her autumn 2026 sequence provides a performance basis for assessing her development.
What could change the assessment?
She needs an economical passage and room to accelerate. Her editorial position must be reassessed against final preparation, the draw and ground.
Sources
- www.australianturfclub.com.au
- www.australianturfclub.com.au
- racing.australianturfclub.com.au
- racingnews.hkjc.com
- www.racingpost.com
- www.nsw.gov.au
- racingnews.hkjc.com
- www.godolphin.com
- www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz
- widden.com
- www.racingpost.com
- www.racingnsw.com.au
- www.racingnsw.com.au
- racing.racingnsw.com.au
- racingnews.hkjc.com