Ka Ying Rising to skip Champions Sprint due to Melbourne vet rules

David Hayes eyes Russell Balding Stakes bonus as strict protocols force Ka Ying Rising out of Flemington.

Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin Racecourse on December 8, 2024, in Hong Kong, China. Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ka Ying Rising, the world’s top-rated sprinter, will not compete in the Group One Champions Sprint at Flemington this November, as Racing Victoria’s stringent veterinary protocols have forced trainer David Hayes to reroute the superstar’s post-Everest campaign. Instead, Hayes will aim the Hong Kong-based sprinter at the A$3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Rosehill, which includes a lucrative A$1 million bonus for any horse that wins the race after clinching The Everest.

The decision stems from the logistical and health concerns surrounding Racing Victoria’s veterinary requirements for international runners, which were tightened in the wake of several equine fatalities in the Melbourne Cup. These include multiple scans, assessments, and hospital-based tests that Hayes believes are unnecessarily invasive, especially for a horse that has already been cleared to race in Australia.

Everest campaign continues in Sydney

Ka Ying Rising’s Australian tour will begin with the A$20 million The Everest at Randwick on October 18, the richest turf race in the world. A top performance there could set up the gelding for an even bigger payday should he proceed to Rosehill two weeks later and win the Russell Balding Stakes, newly introduced on November 1. The bonus on offer—A$1 million—is reserved for horses that win The Everest and go on to take out the Russell Balding.

David Hayes, speaking about his decision, was candid in pointing to the restrictive nature of Racing Victoria’s requirements as a dealbreaker for any Melbourne start.

“The race after The Everest carries a bonus for The Everest winner,” Hayes said. “It means he doesn’t have to do any extra travelling and doesn’t have to go through the protocols again to run in Melbourne, so the protocols made my decision very easy.”

Veterinary hurdles too high

Racing Victoria’s tightened rules, first introduced in 2021, were meant to enhance safety following several high-profile deaths of international runners in the Melbourne Cup. While the intent is noble, many trainers—Hayes among them—have questioned the rigidity and practicality of these measures.

Currently, international horses are required to undergo advanced diagnostics, including CT scans and scintigraphy, before being cleared to race in Melbourne. In Hayes’ view, this adds unnecessary risk, particularly for a horse like Ka Ying Rising, who would already have undergone similar scrutiny to travel to Sydney.

“I would have dearly loved to have shown him off in Victoria—it’s my hometown and it would have been great to run there,” Hayes said. “But the protocols aren’t making it favourable.”

He added, “I’m not asking for any favours, but I think they should review the rule. I think it’s overkill. The horse has to go to hospital to have the tests, which normally healthy horses aren’t in hospital, he has to travel which is another risk, have a day away from his routine feed and be tranquillised to have it done, so it’s quite an ordeal.”

Sydney presents a safer and more profitable option

The decision to keep Ka Ying Rising in Sydney rather than venture to Melbourne is as much about risk minimization as it is about strategy. Hayes, known for his meticulous preparation, believes that limiting Ka Ying Rising’s travel between cities is vital for maintaining the horse’s condition during a crucial part of the season.

“There’s less stress involved in staying put,” Hayes explained. “You keep him in the same place, in the same routine, and you have two very rich races within two weeks of each other. That’s a pretty good setup.”

The timing of the Russell Balding Stakes, placed strategically after The Everest, allows for maximum recovery and preparation time. And with the added A$1 million bonus, it transforms into a must-target race for Everest contenders.

Hayes is not the first to question Racing Victoria’s veterinary demands, but as the trainer of one of the world’s fastest horses, his comments are likely to reignite debate within the industry. While safety remains a top priority, critics argue that the current protocols are overly burdensome and may deter participation from top international runners.

Indeed, there has already been a noted dip in international entries for the Melbourne Cup and other spring features since the new rules were implemented. While Hayes was quick to affirm that he understands the reasoning behind the protocols, he maintained that more flexibility is needed.

“I would understand if it’s his first run in Australia,” he said. “But it’s not. He’s already passed his scans to leave Hong Kong and compete in Sydney. Repeating the same process, including hospitalization and sedation, just isn’t good for the horse.”

The growing appeal of Sydney’s spring carnival

With Racing NSW continuing to invest heavily in its spring carnival, including landmark races like The Everest, the Golden Eagle, and now the Russell Balding Stakes, Sydney is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for elite international talent. The Everest alone dwarfs the prize money of any race in Melbourne, and now with the bonus-laden post-Everest programming, it offers both financial incentives and logistical advantages.

Trainers like Hayes are clearly taking note. For Ka Ying Rising, the Sydney double presents a high-stakes yet well-structured pathway to international stardom without the bureaucratic entanglements of Victoria’s vet regime.

As the calendar inches closer to October, Ka Ying Rising’s preparations for The Everest will intensify. The gelding is already a dominant force in Hong Kong sprinting, and a successful Australian campaign could elevate his status even further on the global stage.

With Hayes’ calculated decision to forgo Flemington in favor of Sydney, the narrative becomes not just about one horse’s racing route, but about a broader industry tug-of-war between safety protocols and competitive viability. In this evolving landscape, where the health of the horse must be weighed against the demands of elite racing, Sydney’s appeal continues to grow.