Crawford’s Public Attention seeks limelight in Hong Kong Reunification Cup; Ka Ying Rising begins Everest preparation

By Declan Schuster

Hong Kong is brimming with exciting young horses. Three-year-olds Hot Delight, Salon S, Baby Sakura, Tycoon Resources and Mr Incredible, who sparkled last weekend for first-season trainer Brett Crawford, have staked their claims as future stars.

Crawford, who is enjoying a solid 25-win campaign, is hoping Public Attention (115lb) can confirm some of his own early promise in the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday (1 July).

As a four-year-old, Australian Group 3 winner Public Attention is young by Hong Kong’s standard and, after four placings from seven appearances, the in-form grey son of Written Tycoon meets nine rivals as he seeks a breakthrough win at the 11-race public holiday fixture.

Crawford said: “I’ve been very happy with his two runs in the yard so far. I think he’s going to be much better and I’m looking forward to seeing him run over the 1400 (metres).”

Karis Teetan, who won several Group 1s for Crawford in South Africa before his full-time move to Hong Kong, partners Public Attention from gate five when he steps up to 1400m for the first time under Crawford’s care.

“Stepping up in distance will help him. He comes here with a beautiful weight on his back and a nice draw. I think he has a good opportunity,” Teetan said. “His progression has been good, and we are happy with him.”

Rated 82, Public Attention meets Packing Hermod (135lb), Invincible Shield (133lb), Storm Rider (130lb), Gorgeous Win (121lb), Emblazon (119lb), Top Dragon (119lb), Beauty Bolt (117lb), Regal Gem (116lb) and Ka Ying Attack (115lb).

Top Dragon is trained by Chris So, who said: “I spoke to the owner and even before the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby (2000m) we spoke of giving him a small break. We’ve brought him back and everything is normal. All three of his trials have been pretty good.”

Crawford saddles seven chances at Sha Tin, including debutant Handsome Hero (125lb) in the Class 4 Uncompromising Integrity Handicap (1000m), also assigned to Teetan.

“He’s had a good preparation, and I’ve been very happy with his trials. He’s a good-looking horse. I do think in time that he’s a horse who is going to be looking for further, but it’s a good starting point for him. As much as I think he’ll run a good race, he will improve a lot with the experience,” Crawford said.

Tycoon Resources (129lb) is aiming to join an exclusive club by securing a fourth consecutive win this season in the Class 3 Better Future Handicap (1200m), a feat achieved only by Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising, Invincible Ibis, Salon S and Emblazon.

The undefeated young gun will make his first appearance at Sha Tin tomorrow night, drawn in gate three with Angus Chung, who has ridden the Elaine Chan-owned galloper in all his starts since his successful debut over 1000m at Happy Valley in April.

Chung said: “He tries hard for me. In his second start, he put himself in an impossible position and he still won. He’s showing that he can win from the back or the front – it proved a lot. We’re at Sha Tin this time – it’s a challenge. It’ll be a little bit new for him.”

Tycoon Resources faces another three-year-old in Effortless Win (127lb). The one-time victor from two runs for trainer Frankie Lor will don first-time cheekpieces.

“Tony Cruz has a very strong horse (Tycoon Resources) in the race. Maybe it can help my horse if it rains, but I hope he can run a good race,” Lor said.

David Hayes is pleased with Ka Ying Rising as the superstar begins preparations for the opening day of the 2026/27 season before returning to Sydney, Australia.

“He’s in great shape. He’s doing strong canters at the moment. He’ll start doing three-quarter pace at the end of the week and gradually build up to The Everest (G1, 1200m). It’ll be copy and paste – he’ll run at Sha Tin and then in Australia.

“He’ll have two trials before Sha Tin – the turf trial and then the one dirt trial. He’s had a nice spell in the paddocks and he’s putting on weight – he’s the heaviest he’s ever been, he’s out to 1,170 pounds. I think it’s a positive not a negative.”

Wednesday’s (1 July) 11-race ‘Summer Series’ fixture at Sha Tin begins at 4pm with the Class 5 Racing Goes On Handicap (1600m).