‘He’ll know he’s in a horse race’: Everest favourite set for toughest test yet, says J-Mac

5 hours ago 3

By Craig Kerry

October 16, 2025 — 7.45pm

James McDonald is taking no notice of the doubters when it comes to Ka Ying Rising.

As the only jockey to have ridden a winner against the Hong Kong superstar, McDonald knows better than most what the Everest field is up against on Saturday.

James McDonald, who will ride Joliestar in Saturday’s Everest, at Rosehill on Thursday morning.

“He’s a weapon,” McDonald said. “He’s very good, from what I’ve seen in Hong Kong. I’ve ridden against him several times, and he’s superb.

“I think he’ll set up well [from gate seven]. He’ll just pop in behind them or whatever Zac [Purton] decides to do with him. That’s what makes him so good. He’s very push button.”

McDonald, ranked the world’s top jockey, edged out Ka Ying Rising twice aboard Wunderbar, then known as Before Crypto, back to back in ratings 80 races over 1200m at Sha Tin in January last year.

They remain the only defeats for Ka Ying Rising, which has since strung together 13 consecutive wins, all at Sha Tin, to earn the status of world’s top sprinter. However, a third placing in his only Australian trial has sparked spirited debate about whether he can carry that form overseas.

James McDonald celebrates victory on Nature Strip in The Everest in 2021.

McDonald will be aboard the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar when Ka Ying Rising steps out against Australia’s best in the $20 million Everest at Randwick.

And while full of respect for the favourite, a $1.70 (Sportsbet) chance on Thursday, McDonald insisted the David Hayes-trained star would not have it all his own way.

“This is a different kettle of fish,” he said. “This will be the toughest test to date for him and he’s going to know he’s in a horse race with the likes of Jimmysstar, Briasa, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah coming at him.”

McDonald was not confirmed as Joliestar’s rider until the 11th hour after weighing up the chance to instead partner Waller’s four-year-old mare, Lady Shenandoah, which runs in the Fairway Thoroughbreds slot and was a $15 hope. Joliestar runs in the Chris Waller Racing slot and was the second favourite at $7.

“Not an easy decision at all,” said McDonald, who has ridden both mares regularly. “Both very good horses, both at the peak of their powers, so not much between them. Obviously, I asked other people their opinion, but it was obviously down to Chris and I.

“I do think Joliestar’s been prepped for the race unbelievably well. She was superb first-up. Her last month’s been superb. She hasn’t put a foot wrong, so that’s why her preparation’s been good, really good.

“She’s an absolutely cracking mare. Her form speaks for itself. She’s beaten Briasa, who is obviously one of the form runners of the race, and she did it really well [in the Shorts].

“She is a five-year-old mare at the peak of her powers and her preparation has been absolutely faultless. She just feels incredible, she looks incredible, and she’s ready to run the race of her life.”

The choice meant Damian Lane will partner Lady Shenandoah, which has drawn gate six, just outside Joliestar. Lady Shenandoah, unbeaten through her three-year-old season, was an unlucky fourth last start after a wide draw and run in the group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley with McDonald aboard.

“She didn’t handle the track that well, caught on a limb. She’ll bounce out of that,” McDonald said.

McDonald won the Everest in 2021 with Nature Strip and was hoping for another memorable day, which also features another Waller star, Fangirl, a $3.80 favourite, in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes. She swooped to catch Lindermann on the line last start in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

“It was superb, it was a great day,” he said when ranking Nature Strip’s win. “The King Charles is a great race as well. I got a good kick out of winning that with Fangirl a couple of years ago. It would be nice to win one of them.

“She’s going really well, and Lindermann’s franked the form. She’s very one-dimensional. Everyone will know where she will be, she’ll be back. Just hopefully she gets the breaks.”