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By Ray Hickson

It’ll be a case of ‘bring on Ka Ying Rising’ as far as jockey Tyler Schiller is concerned if Briasa can confirm he’s ready for battle by winning Saturday’s Group 2 $1m Precise Air Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Jockey Tyler Schiller (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The Hong Kong superstar has loomed ominously over the TAB Everest since the Hong Kong Jockey Club purchased a slot and announced he’d run in the $20 million sprint.

But Schiller, far from conceding the race to Ka Ying Rising, expects Briasa to make a statement at his second run for the spring.

“I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of him, I’m more excited to see what sort of pressure and tempo he can put into a race,’’ Schiller said.

“It’ll be interesting to see how quick Ka Ying Rising will go, or if he will even lead an Everest, but it will be a tactically driven race that’s for sure.

“A horse like Ka Ying Rising is going to put more pace into the Everest and if anything I think it will play into Briasa’s hands. If I don’t have to let him off the bridle until later if he’s got that bunny to chase he’s so competitive he’ll keep chasing.

“The Everest is a high pressure race, high pressure stakes and he’s not going to get it all his own way. He’s the best sprinter in the world so it’s hard to knock him but it’s definitely going to be a good fight.”

The TJ Smith winner, $1.90 with TAB on Thursday, is an $11 chance in the TAB Everest.

While Briasa was run down, by Joliestar, when he resumed in the Shorts (1100m) two weeks ago it’s Schiller’s belief that won’t happen again if he hits the lead in the Premiere.

Schiller is adamant there’s significant improvement to come from the five-year-old and wants to see him head into the Everest with a win against his name.

“His first-up run was really great, they ran some pretty slick time,’’ he said.

“I had to expose him a bit earlier than I wanted to so he had that clear running and I thought he did a really good job from the 400m to 100m. Then the last 75m he was probably a bit out on his feet.

“The way he quickened, he definitely quickened good enough to put the race way. I feel his condition gave out a touch late.

“I’m sure he’s tightened up a lot with that run under his belt and I’d expecting a big improvement second-up.

“No knock on Joliestar but I felt like she was looking a picture and prepared to win. Whether she can improve I’m unsure but I know my bloke definitely well.”

Among Schiller’s other rides on Epsom Handicap Day are a pair of two-year-olds for the Mitchell & Desiree Kearney stable that he formed a good opinion of out of their wins at the official trials.

Iambubb is considered an outsider in the Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) while Oh Yes She Did has been kept safe in the Group 3 $250,000 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).

He said there was some early pressure in both their trials so isn’t being too harsh on the times out of the heats but liked the style of their efforts, particularly the filly.

“She had a little more in hand, she was a bit raw doing it,’’ he said.

Briasa runs second in The Shorts

“She was half angling off the track and once she straightened up she was very good through the line.

“I think she has a bit of improvement and will be one that will absorb that high pressure because she was a bit keen in behind.

“They might have run a couple of the slower trials of the morning but I thought the way they both did it was impressive.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Epsom meeting at Randwick