Ka Ying Rising’s trainer pinpoints main reason for shock loss in The Everest

Master trainer David Hayes has blamed the wide barrier for Ka Ying Rising’s shock second place in The Everest on Saturday.

The world’s best racehorse jumped a very short-priced favourite but was upstaged by Tempted in one of the biggest boilovers in history.

Ka Ying Rising, who was on a 21-race winning streak, jumped well but was caught wide on the turn as he settled further back than most judges expected after jumping from barrier 11.

But while he built a stern challenge late on, the flying Tempted was able to hold on, scoring by a head.

Hayes conceded he didn’t expect Ka Ying Rising to settle in sixth place, but put the blame squarely on the wide barrier.

“We didn’t expect him to be there, but it was the barrier,” Hayes told Seven after the race.

“Sometimes 11 can be a bonus, but he got caught wide. He settled a bit further back than he thought he would.

“And if we have to take a positive out of it, he was in front one stride after the post.

“So very brave ... the first and third horse cut the corner and really had dream runs and we had a horror, you know, being six wide, no cover.

“But he was brave and I love the way he finished and I hate the result.”

Much of the build-up to the race was the conditions, but the track was a soft five in the end.

“It was the barrier and we actually thought the barrier would be a bonus, but it turned the wrong way for us.

“Yeah, I’ve had a chat with (jockey) Zac (Purton) and he just thinks the barrier, getting caught so wide and the winner had such a beautiful run. And well done to the winner, you know, she’s had a big spring.”

Tempted’s victory turned the tables after her second placing to Ka Ying Rising in last year’s Everest, the slot race that has quickly captured the racing public’s imagination in its 10-year history.