Ka Ying Rising on track for The Everest despite social media rumours

Ka Ying Rising is on track to contest Saturday’s A20 million The Everest 1,200 metre sprint at Royal Randwick after trainer David Hayes dismissed social media rumours that the Hong Kong gelding would be withdrawn. The five year old, ranked the world’s top sprinter and unbeaten in his last 13 starts, completed a racecourse gallop at Canterbury on Monday and remains the early favourite for the world’s richest turf sprint in Sydney.

Hayes said a hacked social media account had circulated false reports that the horse was lame and not eating, prompting a flurry of calls from racing authorities and media. Betting markets briefly suspended wagering on the race on Sunday after Ka Ying Rising’s odds drifted amid the speculation. Hayes described the reports as fake, and said the horse was at his winning weight, eating normally and working well. He is due to have a final serious gallop at Canterbury before the race.

Connections point to improved work since a barrier trial at Randwick on October 7 in which Ka Ying Rising finished third by a neck. Hayes said the trial was an orientation run after a month without competitive work and that the gelding had regained condition since. He reported...