Ka Ying Rising fit for The Everest

Monday morning gallop allays any fears around The Everest favourite.

David Hayes hopes a strong gallop at Canterbury on Monday proved to everyone that Ka Ying Rising is in good health and a certain starter in this Saturday's The Everest at Randwick.

The rumour mill was in overdrive on Sunday with suggestions that the Hong Kong superstar was not in good condition and was a doubt to start in the $20 million race, but Hayes described that as 'fake news'.

"I got a call yesterday at lunchtime from JD, my son, and (SEN host) Gareth Hall had rung him and said his Twitter account had been hacked and sent out some false information and basically had him scratched, lame behind and not eating," Hayes said.

"That's not the horse I've been training anyway.

"The phone went into melt down for probably six hours, but to use a Donald Trump-ism, it was fake news."

Ka Ying Rising worked solo on Monday morning, striding home the last 600 metres and covering the last furlong in 12 seconds.

It was his most serious piece of work since last Tuesday's much-talked-about trial third placing at Randwick and Hayes said the son of Shamexpress had come on from that.

"We're really happy with him. He just went out on the beautiful Canterbury track this morning and ran home in 38 (seconds) under a nice hold," Hayes said.

"His recovery was excellent and I think he's really improved from that trial.

"The idea of the trial was to bring him on and I think it has and we're very happy with him.

"I think he's ready to rumble."

Monday's workout was Ka Ying Rising final piece of serious work before The Everest with the gelding to have an easy morning on Tuesday before some cantering work on Wednesday and a leisurely stride on Thursday before tapering into the race.

Ka Ying Rising's full set of rivals is now known with Yulong on Monday morning announcing that Mazu would run in its slot, replacing Private Harry who was last week withdrawn from the race.

That Triple Crown Syndications gelding, who ran third in The Everest in 2022 and 11th the following year, joins the Yulong-owned Angel Capital and Magic Time in The Everest.

"Obviously, it's disappointing that injury forced Private Harry's withdrawal from the Yulong slot, but to secure a seasoned sprinter like Mazu is a huge bonus, particularly at this late stage" Yulong's chief operating officer Sam Fairgray said.

"There aren't many who can say they have three genuine chances in the world's richest turf race.

"We're in a very fortunate position this year and looking forward to watching how it plays out on Saturday."