Tempted wins The Everest as Hayes blames wide draw for defeat
Ka Ying Rising's run of 21 consecutive wins ended with a head defeat, while Tempted delivered trainer Ciaron Maher his second Everest victory.
Tempted beat Ka Ying Rising by a head in The Everest, with the runner-up's trainer David Hayes attributing the defeat to barrier 11 and a wide passage through the race.
Ka Ying Rising settled sixth and raced wide around the turn before mounting a late challenge. Hayes said he had not expected the horse to settle that far back and described him as racing six wide without cover.
Hayes said the draw had initially looked favourable, but ultimately worked against Ka Ying Rising. He praised the horse's finish and said jockey Zac Purton also considered the wide run decisive. Hayes had no complaint about the ground, with the track rated a soft five.
The result reversed the outcome of last year's Everest, when Tempted finished second behind Ka Ying Rising. It was Tempted's second Group 1 win and gave trainer Ciaron Maher another Everest success after Bella Nipotina won in 2024.
Maher said Tempted's preparation had given him confidence she could produce a personal best, with barrier one suiting her. Jockey Chad Schofield said he maintained his position while keeping Ka Ying Rising wide, then took the lead earlier than he normally would on the mare.
