With 21-race streak on the line, Ka Ying Rising looks to go back-to-back in Everest

Ka Ying Rising won his 14th consecutive start, and first race away from Hong Kong, in the Group 1 Everest Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, last October.

It was a defining moment in the career of one of the finest sprinters in recent memory. Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak stands at 21 races in advance of his second start in Australia in Saturday’s $13.9 million Everest Stakes at six furlongs.

Ka Ying Rising may be better this year. Twice in April, and in his first start after a summer break last month, Ka Ying Rising lowered his own course record in six-furlong stakes at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

On Sept. 6, Ka Ying Rising won the Group 3 Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap in 1:06.11 while carrying 135 pounds. He led throughout to win by 7 3/4 lengths over Brave Knight, who carried 115 pounds.

Afterward, trainer David Hayes described Ka Ying Rising as “bigger, stronger, and better” than earlier this year.

No wonder Ka Ying Rising is 2-5 in early betting to win the Everest, the world’s richest sprint.

A 6-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak began in February 2024 at Sha Tin, the venue of 20 wins in the streak.

In the 2025 Everest, Ka Ying Rising closed from third of 12 to win by slightly more than a length. He was ridden by Zac Purton, who has been aboard for 19 of the 21 wins and the last 11.

On Saturday, Ka Ying Rising starts from post 11 in a field of 12. With a win, Ka Ying Rising can become the first two-time winner of the Everest since Redzel won the first two runnings in 2017-18.

The Australian-based runners have their own hope with the filly Tempted, who was second in the 2025 Everest Stakes and has won five subsequent starts for trainer Ciaron Maher. Tempted, who was 7-2 earlier this week, is a closer. She won the Group 2 Premiere Stakes at six furlongs on Oct. 3 at Randwick, closing from ninth of 12 to win by slightly less than three lengths.

Tempted, who will be ridden by Chad Schofield, starts from the inside post Saturday, a tricky draw that may require a fortunate trip for the nine-time winner to even get near Ka Ying Rising.

Post time for the Everest is 1:15 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, or 10:15 p.m. Pacific on Friday.

Zahrann leads Caulfield Cup

Cosmic Crusader, winner of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on Oct. 3 at Flemington, will be favored to win Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

A 6-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding trained by Andrea Leek, Cosmic Crusader has won 11 of 22 starts in a career that began in modest races at tracks in Perth, Australia, on the country’s West Coast.

The 18-runner field in the Caulfield Cup includes Half Yours, winner of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at two miles at Flemington Racecourse last November. Half Yours is winless in his last six starts, including a fifth in the Turnbull Stakes.

Post time for the Caulfield Cup is 2:15 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, or 11:15 p.m. Pacific on Friday.