David Hayes opens door to BLOCKBUSTER Ka Ying Rising showdown

Ka Ying Rising’s is on everyone's minds yet again as the superstar prepares for another tilt at The Everest, but could we see an invitational race where the David Hayes-trained gun goes head-to-head with the likes of Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi?

With Ka Ying Rising continuing to impress in Hong Kong, attention is now turning towards what could potentially be one of the biggest races in international racing.

Hayes joined Gareth Hall on SENTrack & RSN's Giddy Up where the idea of a jurisdiction putting up an invitational race designed to attract the world's best sprinters and create a genuine blockbuster was posed.

“I think there is an opportunity for a brave jurisdiction to put on an invitational race to go out and get the best five horses in the world to race against each other to put on a show,” Hall said.

Hayes admitted he would be open to the concept, although there would be some important considerations around Ka Ying Rising's schedule.

“You don’t know the scenarios about where it may take place,” Hayes said.

“The non-negotiables for Ka Ying Rising would be that the two Hong Kong International races couldn’t get in the way of that.

“But if you could get around that, it may be possible.”

While Royal Ascot has been mentioned as a potential destination for the world's best sprinters, Hayes suggested an invitational race would hold greater appeal for the Ka Ying Rising camp.

“I think an invitational race would be more interesting to us because Royal Ascot in June is when he needs a spell, especially for the horse’s wellbeing,” he said.

“In terms of an Invitational race, nothing is confirmed, just a bit of trash talk.

“I would love to do it but we would just need to get the times and dates right.

“It would be very exciting for racing if it happened.”

If the dream clash between Ka Ying Rising, Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi does eventuate, there is one major question still to be answered, how far would they go?

Hayes has a clear preference.

“My vote would be 1400m,” he said.

“And their vote would be a mile, wouldn’t it? But they both look very good over 1400m!”

For now, the focus remains firmly on The Everest, where Ka Ying Rising is expected to return to Australia as one of the biggest drawcards of the spring.

And if the world's best sprinters can eventually be brought together in the same race, Hayes believes racing could have something truly special on its hands.

The son of Shamexpress looked in ominous touch when cruising to victory in his latest trial, stopping the clock at 56.7 seconds.

While that time was some way outside the track record, Hayes was delighted with what he saw from his star galloper.

“I thought the trial was as good as he goes,” Hayes said.

“He ran 56.7 and the track record is 54-something, but Zac gets frustrated when he doesn’t change legs.

“When he’s going that easy, he never does, it leaves Zac bemused.”

Ka Ying Rising has already established himself as one of the most dominant sprinters in the world, having rattled off four consecutive track records during his rise to stardom.

Hayes believes his ability to achieve those performances while appearing to do so effortlessly is what makes him so special.

“He just seems to break track records with ease, cruising up on the pace and easing up the last 200m,” Hayes said.

“You don’t often see horses breaking four consecutive track records either.”

Ka Ying Rising is already a $1.50 favourite for this year’s Everest with Sportsbet, with Hayes joking that the price represents something of a drift for his star galloper.

“Funnily enough, it’s the longest he’s been since last year’s Everest,” Hayes said.

“He usually goes around at $1.01.”