Beadman defends Ka Ying Rising as doubts grow about $20m Everest favourite

3 hours ago 2

By Craig Kerry

October 11, 2025 — 4.30pm

Group 1-winning trainer and jockey Darren Beadman believes “good horses adapt to any circumstance” and Ka Ying Rising remains the horse to beat in next Saturday’s $20 million Everest at Randwick, even away from the “billiard table” of Sha Tin.

Beadman, now working for the Chris Waller stable after the end of Godolphin’s private training model, oversaw a 1000m exhibition gallop from Lady Shenandoah between races at Rosehill on Saturday. She is one of three Waller-trained hopes in the richest race on turf.

Ka Ying Rising during his trial at Randwick.

Ka Ying Rising’s third behind Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker and Everest rival Overpass in a trial at Randwick on Tuesday has sparked spirited debate about the Hong Kong superstar’s hold on the race. The David Hayes-trained headliner, the world’s highest-rated sprinter, remained a $1.50 (Sportsbet) favourite.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. All I know is our three horses are good,” Beadman said of the trial.

“If he’s in the race, definitely [he’s the horse to beat]. He’s got the form on the board. All he’s got to do is, as their team said, he’s got a little bit of improvement there.

“Track was a little bit against him the other day, being a little bit soft. I don’t know what the conditions will be like Saturday, but I can’t speak highly enough of our three.”

Lady Shenandoah during Saturday’s hit-out.

A much-debated factor for Ka Ying Rising will be how he adjusts to the Randwick track. He has raced exclusively at Sha Tin, where he has won 14 of 16 starts.

“Every track’s different,” said Beadman, who rode in Hong Kong.

“Obviously he’s been attuned and accustomed to just running on one surface here at Sha Tin. It’s a sandier profile, Randwick, than say Rosehill.

“Sha Tin does have that degree of sand profile as well. Probably not as much as Happy Valley, but then it’s a little bit more undulating. It’s not a billiard table like Sha Tin is.

“But obviously he’s been able to go to Canterbury, which is quite undulating, so he’s got a feel for all that and good horses adapt to any circumstance.”

Lady Shenandoah had drifted to $13 for the Everest after a fourth in the Manikato Stakes from a wide gate and run, but Beadman said the trip had been a plus. She looked in great shape under Kerrin McEvoy in Saturday’s solo hit-out.

“She’s actually done really well since she’s come home,” Beadman said.

“She’s actually doing better now before she went down to Melbourne.

“She’s licking out the feed bin and she’s spot on. She would have been ready to race today by the look of her. She was trimmed right up. There’s not an ounce of fat on her.”

Waller’s other Everest runners, Angel Capital and Joliestar, were untested and finished well back in the same trial as Ka Ying Rising.

“It wasn’t too much of a lung burner for them in the trial and both look set and ready for the race,” he said.

Ben Melham will ride Angel Capital in the Everest, but Beadman said no decision had been made about who will ride the other two. McEvoy will partner Jedibeel.

“We’ll leave that to Chris and J-Mac [James McDonald] and Damian [Lane]. I guess it’s still a long way to go before the race. A week’s a long time in racing, so Chris will work that out.”

“We talk about it, but at the end of the day it’s what James and Chris, what terms they come to.”