Ka Ying Rising dazzles ahead of return; Fast Network prepares for Japan campaign

By Declan Schuster

It was business as usual at Sha Tin this morning (Friday, 21 August) as Ka Ying Rising dominated his return barrier trial ahead of the 2026/27 season, when he’ll reappear in the newly upgraded HK$4.2 million G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m).

Slated for a first-up run in the season-opening feature on Sunday, 6 September – which he won in 2024 and 2025 as a Class 1 contest – Ka Ying Rising lengthened sharply under Zac Purton by nine and three-quarter lengths in front of Thunder Prince (second) in 1m 01.16s over 1050m on the rain-affected dirt as he led the seven-runner trial from start to finish.

“He put on a bit of weight in the break. He got up over 1,190 pounds, so he’s certainly enjoying his life. He’ll only get one run on opening day here, and then he goes to The Everest (G1, 1200m),” Purton said.

Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising has won his past 20 races – a Hong Kong racing record – and was crowned co-Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2025/26) with Romantic Warrior last season, his second time receiving the accolade for owner Ka Ying Syndicate.

Australian Racing Hall of Famer Purton, who captured a ninth riding championship in 2025/26 with 143 wins in Hong Kong – including four Group 1s with Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin – also became the first jockey in the city’s racing history to surpass 2,000 victories.

The Everest is the world’s richest turf race, won in 2025 by Ka Ying Rising, and will take place on 17 October at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia. The nine-time Group 1 winner is expected to trial again on 30 August at Sha Tin.

“He was a little bit rusty. He’ll be fine. It’s a starting point for him and it’s nice to have him back there doing something a bit more competitive. He certainly needed that,” Purton said.

Fast Network is one of five horses expected to travel overseas and race on 6 September, set to compete in Japan’s G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin in preparation for the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on 27 September. Self Improvement, Romantic Thor and Gorgeous Win, who also trialled today, will race in Seoul, South Korea on the same day.

Dennis Yip, trainer of Fast Network, said: “He trialled very good. He had a very good reaction, and because the track (condition) isn’t very good, I just told the jockey to take him back and let him finish off in the straight. Everything is fine.”

Fast Network is twice Group 1-placed behind Ka Ying Rising across 20 starts, winning seven times, including the 2025 G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m).

Settled at the tail of the group in the first trial, Fast Network was firmly restrained by jockey Matthew Poon before closing smartly in the home straight to finish fourth in 1m 12.44s.

Ridden by Dylan Mo, Self Improvement was niggled along to finish second behind Cala Dei Mori in 1m 11.38s as he prepares to defend his G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) title.

Mo said: “I’m very happy with his trial – we made him work a little bit. Everything is good, and it was just to increase his fitness.”

Danny Shum’s Romantic Thor was fifth in batch two under Jerry Chau in 1m 13.68s ahead of his G2 Korea Cup (1800m, sand) challenge, while stablemate Gorgeous Win (Korea Sprint) was ninth in the third batch under Richard Kingscote, clocking 1m 13.42s.

Fast Network, Self Improvement, Romantic Thor, Gorgeous Win and Beauty Waves (Korea Sprint) are all booked to depart Hong Kong next week.