Ka Ying Rising impresses in Sha Tin barrier trial

By Leo Schlink

Bidding to equal Silent Witness’ long-standing record for the most consecutive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse, Ka Ying Rising swept to an imperious barrier trial victory at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 15 January) ahead of his tilt at history on 25 January.

Preparing to chase a 17th straight victory when he contests the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin next week, Ka Ying Rising cruised over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt course under Zac Purton, clocking 1m 10.36s, and beating stablemate Romantic Son by three-and-three-quarter lengths with Galax Patch third, while Helios Express was a sedate sixth.

The six-time Group 1 winner pleased trainer David Hayes as he vies to match the towering winning streak of Silent Witness, who was unbeaten in 17 starts from December, 2002 to April, 2005, when he was toppled by Tony Cruz stablemate Bullish Luck in the Champions Mile (1600m) by a short head.

“Ka Ying Rising was very good. That was probably the fastest I’ve seen him jump out of the gates,” Hayes said. “His gate speed was incredible and then he was happy to just cruise along and won as you would expect.

“Zac said he had a healthy blow afterwards and that’s why he trials because he needs a tune-up before his race. He’ll have a bit of striding work next week and next Wednesday (21 January) he’ll do a bit of work and then he’ll be ready to go.

“He’s giving the impression he’s not going backwards. It’s hard to say he’s better than the performances he’s been giving recently but he looks like he’s right on song for the 25th (of January).”

Since losing twice by narrow margins to Wunderbar as a three-year-old, Ka Ying Rising has soared to dizzying heights in 16 subsequent starts since February, 2024 – annexing six Group 1s, including the world’s richest sprint race, the G1 The Everest (1200m), twice breaking Sha Tin’s 1200m record and rising from 69 in the ratings to 138 as Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse.

Acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year for his unbeaten eight-win 2024/25 season, Ka Ying Rising returns to competition next week for the first time since surging to victory in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 14 December.

If successful in the three-race Hong Kong Speed Series’ opening leg, the Centenary Sprint Cup, Ka Ying Rising would then have the chance to take outright ownership of the record for the most successive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).

G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) winner Red Lion limbered up for the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 25 January by finishing second to David Eustace’s Greater Bae at Sha Tin this morning.

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, the gelding finished three-quarters of a length behind Greater Bae, who clocked 1m 10.81s on the dirt.

Red Lion will clash with Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble and My Wish in the Stewards’ Cup, which is the first leg of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (18 January), when the 15th National Games Hong Kong Medalists Raceday will be held.