Hong Kong sprint champion Ka Ying Rising is set to defend his title in The Everest at Randwick in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The defending champion faces a potential challenge from wet weather, while Godolphin mare Tempted stands out among the local contenders seeking to end his unbeaten run.
According to racing.
com, Ka Ying Rising has not lost a race since finishing ahead of Tempted in The Everest last year.
However, the possibility of rain could affect the conditions for Australia's richest race, adding uncertainty to the champion's latest attempt to secure another major victory.
Champion's Standing and the Local Threat
Ka Ying Rising's standing has strengthened since his previous appearance in the race.
Racing.
com reported that he started as the official $2 favorite in 2025, although his price on the local totalizator was $1.50, reflecting substantial support from Hong Kong racing fans.
Before that victory, questions surrounded his preparation following an underwhelming trial at Randwick and his lack of experience racing outside Sha Tin.
His campaign also faced scrutiny because northern-hemisphere sprinters had struggled in The Everest, recording one ninth-place finish, two 10th-place finishes and one 12th-place finish across four previous starts.
Those concerns were addressed by Ka Ying Rising's performance in the 2025 race.
Despite another trial defeat ahead of this year's contest, racing.
com assessed him as a strong candidate to start as the favorite, provided the weather does not significantly change the outlook.
Tempted is identified as Ka Ying Rising's principal local challenger.
The Godolphin mare has remained unbeaten since finishing second behind him in the 2025 edition, leaving both horses with unblemished records over that period.
The defending champion's challenge also carries historical significance.
No horse has successfully defended The Everest title since Redzel won the inaugural running in 2017 and repeated the achievement in 2018, according to racing.
com.
Redzel subsequently finished eighth in 2019, while Classique Legend placed fifth in 2021 and Nature Strip finished fourth in 2022.
These results illustrate the difficulty of winning the race in consecutive years.
Nature Strip remains the only odds-on favorite in The Everest's history, having started at $1.90 in 2022 before finishing fourth.
Giga Kick won that edition at $21, becoming the race's longest-priced winner, according to racing. com.
Separately, the New Zealand Herald highlighted the day's wider racing schedule.
Meetings include Soliloquy Stakes Day at Ellerslie, where the first race is scheduled for 11:45 a. m.
, and racing at Ōtaki beginning at 12:35 p. m.
Caulfield Cup Day in Melbourne is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p. m.
New Zealand time.
