Wide gate won’t worry race-fit Briasa in 2025 The Everest

Tyler Schiller is backing Briasa to overcome another tricky draw when he takes on Hong Kong’s sprint superstar Ka Ying Rising in Saturday’s $20 million The Everest at Randwick.

Briasa’s wide barrier proved costly in The Galaxy earlier this year when he settled last from the outside gate before flashing home late to finish fourth. Despite drawing gate 10 for the Everest, Schiller is confident circumstances are different this time around.

“He’s into his preparation this time, he’s not first-up, so I have no fears about using him a bit early to be in his position,” Schiller said.

“The closer he can be the better. Hopefully not absorbing all the pressure but somewhere around the mark where he can strike.”

The top-class sprinter has an outstanding record at Randwick, having already secured two Group 1 wins over the same course and distance — the TJ Smith Stakes in the autumn and the Premiere Stakes earlier this month.

Ka Ying Rising, on the other hand, has yet to race in Australia aside from a barrier trial defeat at Randwick. The five-year-old has been unbeatable in Hong Kong since January 2023, stringing together 13 straight victories and earning recognition as the world’s top-rated racehorse.

Schiller, though, believes that record doesn’t make him unbeatable.

“He is definitely beatable,” Schiller said.

“It’s just whether he gets in his comfort zone or not, whether he loves the track, the conditions, pressure from the other speed horses.

“He is the top-rated sprinter in the world so it’s hard to go past him and he’s going to be hard to get past.”

Ka Ying Rising dominates Everest betting at $1.70, with Briasa sitting as a $16 outsider, but Schiller is optimistic that his mount is peaking at the right time.

“He’s flying,” Schiller said. “He blew out a bit first-up but second-up I didn’t feel any signs of weakness. He felt like he was still powering through the line. He is a one-of-a-kind horse and I’m glad to be the one on him.”

Punters looking to back Briasa or Ka Ying Rising in the The Everest can find the latest odds and bonus offers via Australia’s top betting sites — the most searched platforms on Google for horse racing markets and spring carnival promotions.