Ka Ying Rising primed for Sha Tin season-opener as champion sprinter bids for successful return

By Leo Schlink

Ka Ying Rising this morning effortlessly completed fast-work preparations for the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 September), when the world’s highest-rated sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 13 straight races.

Partnered by regular rider Zac Purton, Hong Kong’s reigning Horse Of The Year sauntered down the back straight on Sha Tin’s dirt track before upping the tempo over the final 400m, clocking 24.1s and pleasing trainer David Hayes.

“It was just typical Ka Ying Rising work, he’s a bit lazy on his own but we’ve been doing it now for 12 months and the routine works, so we’re not going to change it,” said Hayes, who believes the four-time Group 1 winner is thriving after a 1000m trial at Sha Tin on 30 August.

“I thought the trial down the straight showed that he’s back in very good form.”

Hayes believes Hong Kong’s champion sprinter is well placed to repeat last season’s opening-day heroics, when he triumphed on Good to Yielding ground and set a weight-carrying record under 135lb to become the first horse to win the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup with more than 130lb.

“Last year it poured and he won with a big weight and a wide gate (barrier seven), so this year he’s got a good gate (barrier four) and he’s probably going to be 15 to 20 pounds heavier but that’s strength, not fitness,” Hayes said.

Purton said: “He (Ka Ying Rising) did his work, as he always does. He’s pretty cruisy in the mornings, he knows what to do. He gets out there and shows the enthusiasm that he always does. He just ticks the boxes.

“He was just on the wrong leg again, which is becoming more and more frustrating by the day but hopefully at some stage he works that out and makes life a little easier for himself.”

Ka Ying Rising will this Sunday concede weight to all 11 rivals – Lucky Sweynesse (126lb), Lucky With You (116lb) and Beauty Waves, Victor The Winner, Copartner Prance, Raging Blizzard, Magic Control, Bottomuptogether, Divano, Gorgeous Win and Harmony N Blessed, who have all been assigned 115lb.

Pressing for a ninth Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Purton has eight other rides this weekend – Perfect Peach, Super Strong Kid, Sunset Trail, China Win, Groovy Feeling, Fast Network, Bulb General and Patch Of Stars.

Sunday’s (7 September) season-opening meeting at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Grassy Hill Handicap (1200m) at 1pm.