The field is set for the tenth running of The Everest, the richest race on turf anywhere on the planet, and Sydney is braced for a blockbuster.

Global phenomenon Ka Ying Rising, the world’s best racehorse, steered by the King of Hong Kong in Zac Purton, has drawn the wide gate of barrier 11. With rain hovering over Sydney, the conditions are throwing down the gauntlet and are stacking the odds against the superstar. Champions are made in moments like these. On the rail, Tempted has drawn barrier 1 for Australia’s premier trainer, Ciaron Maher. Unbeaten since her gallant runner-up finish in last year’s Everest, she got momentum, a perfect draw and a point to prove. Then comes the Waller firepower. World’s best jockey James McDonald takes the ride on Royal Ascot runner-up Joliestar from barrier 5, while stablemate Angel Capital jumps from gate 2, fresh off his breakthrough Group 1 victory and brimming with confidence. Ninja, the speedster who got the better of Ka Ying Rising in last week’s barrier trial has landed barrier 3 with the brilliant Tommy Berry aboard. Was it a hint of what’s to come? And flying the flag for the young guns is Blue Door, the only three-year-old in the field. Drawn barrier 9 for in-form trainer Bjorn Baker, he’ll be ridden by reigning Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham, a rider who knows exactly how to rise to the big occasion.

The world’s best sprinters. The world’s best jockeys. A purse that stops the globe in its tracks. Just 1200 metres and about 70 seconds stand between them and racing immortality. The Everest is here, don’t blink.

Group 1 The Everest. 1200m Royal Randwick. Saturday 17 October.

Kay Ying Rising. Jockey Zac Purton, Trainer David Hayes – Barrier 11
Jimmysstar. Nash Rawiller, Ciaron Maher – Barrier 8
Giga Kick. Dylan Gibbons, Clayton Douglas – Barrier 12
Angel Capital. Ben Melham, Chris Waller – Barrier 2
Caballus. Tim Clark, Bjorn Baker – Barrier 10
Headwall. Kerrin McEvoy, Matthew Smith – Barrier 6
Ninja. Tommy Berry, Michael Freedman – Barrier 3
Joliestar. James McDonald, Chris Waller – Barrier 5
Tempted. Chad Schofield, Ciaron Maher – Barrier 1
Spicy Martini. Taylor Marshall, Toby Edmonds – Barrier 4
Savvy Hallie. Zac Lloyd, Brad Widdup – Barrier 7
Blue Door. Jamie Melham, Bjorn Baker – Barrier 9

Photo: SKY Racing