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.

“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 Yi

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