Packing Smart debuts as Ka Ying Rising returns to Hayes’ stable

By Declan Schuster

Packing Smart (127lb) has trialled well ahead of his debut, and trainer David Hayes is hoping he can carry that form through to racing when he contests Happy Valley’s Class 4 Ant Digital Technologies Cup Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday night (4 November).

Drawn in barrier two, the four-year-old faces 11 opponents. The 52-rated Proisir gelding has trialled three times in preparation, including on 9 October at the city circuit when he finished a comfortable first under Zac Purton in 1m 10.67s over 1200m.

“He’s a talented horse and he’s very willing. His trials have been excellent and his trackwork is good. So, I’m expecting a good run,” Hayes said. “I thought we would need to get moving if we are optimistic and looking to the Four-Year-Old (Classic) Series.

“His weakness at the moment is that he’s probably 10 per cent keen – a little bit strong, physically. So, we thought we’d put the ear muffs on and send him around the Valley, because the tempo of a Valley race, I think, will be better for him.”

Packing Smart is raced by owner Edmond Lee, whose horses carry his renowned navy blue and white colours, while the 2026/27 Four-Year-Old Classic Series begins on 31 January with the HK$14 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m).

Purton said: “He’s been trialling well. He’s a nice big strong horse and that’s probably to his detriment a little bit as well because he’s very aggressive.

“Managing him is going to be the key to his performance. I think, if he really wants to get on with it, then he might pull himself into the ground a little bit.

“He’s been a little bit slow out in some trials and in other trials he’s bounced out. He just gets a little bit fizzy in there, so barrier two might end up being a negative for him if he gets it wrong but, hopefully, he gets it right.”

Purton leads the 2026/27 jockeys’ championship with 26 wins, nine clear of apprentice Nichola Yuen. Jerry Chau (15 wins), Vincent Ho (14), Derek Leung (11) and James Orman (10) trail and are all vying for the final two spots in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship on 9 December, which are decided on 25 November.

Purton is preparing for a big few weeks ahead when Ka Ying Rising returns in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on 22 November before the six-year-old attempts to become the first three-time winner of the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 13 December.

Ka Ying Rising returned to Hayes’ stable from quarantine on Monday (2 November).

Hayes said: “It made the morning (Tuesday, 3 November) easy, watching him work. He did a little bit of striding work, and Zac will be on him Friday (6 November) for his first proper gallop since The Everest (G1, 1200m).

“He’ll have a trial on Friday week (13 November) and he’ll run on the 22nd. His weight this morning was the same as his weight in The Everest – so weight-wise, he’s fully bounced back and he’s lovely and free in his action.”

Purton links with Live Wire (123lb) in the second section of the Class 3 Causeway Bay Handicap (1200m) tomorrow. He said: “He’s a nice Happy Valley horse – he’s got good speed. He’s always shown that he has more than what he’s delivered. It’s just under pressure he hasn’t given a lot – he gets his head up and he looks around a little bit.”

Purton also reunites with 2024 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Massive Sovereign in Sunday’s (8 November) HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m).

“He seems to have turned a corner. I was riding him towards the end of last season and he still didn’t feel right – his action wasn’t there and he wasn’t comfortable at all. I was able to ride him in a piece of work yesterday and he felt quite good,” Purton said.

Little Paradise, Helios Express and Rubylot trialled at Sha Tin today, with Little Paradise leading the seven-runner batch home in 1m 09.93s over 1200m on the dirt.