Ka Ying Star tries change of scenery in King's Park Handicap
The Hong Kong Triple Crown at Sha Tin Racecourse did not work out as planned for Ka Ying Star earlier this year.
After third-place finishes in the first two races – the Hong Kong Classic Mile on Jan. 27 and the Hong Kong Classic Cup on Feb. 17 - Ka Ying Star was 10th in the Hong Kong Derby on March 17.
A month later, Ka Ying Star will start in an easier spot - Wednesday’s $248,743 King’s Park Handicap at about a mile and 50 yards at Happy Valley Racecourse. This will be Ka Ying Star’s first start at Happy Valley, a track with tighter turns than Sha Tin but one Ka Ying Star should handle. Ka Ying Star has shown repeatedly through his career he can adapt to new surroundings.
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Trained by Tony Cruz, Ka Ying Star won his Hong Kong debut as a longshot in a handicap at Sha Tin on Jan. 6. In England last year, racing under the name Urban Aspect, Ka Ying Star won three consecutive races at different venues, including Chester, another track with tight turns. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are sent to Hong Kong.
Ka Ying Star, who will be ridden by regular jockey Vincent Ho, is the 133-pound topweight in the King’s Park Handicap, which drew a full field of 12. Ka Ying Star breaks from post 3 and is expected to take his customary position near the front.
Cruz also starts Circuit Glory, who will carry 129 pounds, and frequently has set the pace. It’s unlikely Ka Ying Star and Circuit Glory will be fighting each other for the lead, which is likely to result in Ka Ying Star racing from a stalking position.
The King’s Park Handicap has drawn a solid field. Mr So and So was 14th in the Hong Kong Derby last month. Ruthven was fourth in the 2018 Hong Kong Derby. This year, Ruthven is winless in four starts, all for trainer Frankie Lor.
The race has two running for the first time in Hong Kong with international group form.
Party Together won the Group 2 Italian Derby in 2018 when racing under the name Summer Festival. A winner of 6 of 9 starts, Party Together is now trained by Peter Ho.
Divine Unicorn won the Group 3 Tattersalls Cup at Doomben Racecourse in Australia in 2018. A winner of 5 of 12 starts, Divine Unicorn is now trained by Me Tsui.
Horses often need a start in Hong Kong to adapt to the new surroundings. Ka Ying Star is an exception to that theory, which is a contributing reason why he was 29-1 when he won his debut earlier this year.