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| Staff Writer |
Ka Ying Rising overcame a troubled passage to land his first Group One success in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday, providing trainer David Hayes with a memorable international triumph.
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The rising star of Hong Kong racing, partnered by Zac Purton, overcame early difficulties when missing the break but showed tremendous courage to secure his eighth consecutive victory. Despite the setbacks, the son of Shamexpress prevailed by half a length from local challenger Helios Express, with Japanese raider Satono Reve finishing a short head away in third.
Having set a course record of 1m 07.43s in his previous outing, Ka Ying Rising completed the 1200m contest in 1m 08.15s. The performance, while not matching his best time, demonstrated his versatility and fighting spirit under challenging circumstances.
The victory marked Hayes's first Group One success since his return to Hong Kong four years ago, and his first since All Thrills Too's triumph in 2002. The Australian handler was quick to acknowledge the significance of the win, particularly given the challenging race conditions.
The sprint, carrying a purse of US$3.33 million, has seen notable winners in its history, including Japanese stars Lord Kanaloa (2012 and 2013) and Danon Smash (2020), who remain the only international victors in the past 12 editions.
For Purton, this marked a fourth success in the Hong Kong Sprint and his 12th LONGINES Hong Kong International Races victory overall, further cementing his status among the elite riders in Hong Kong.
Looking ahead, Hayes outlined potential targets: "We'll see how he pulls up, but the initial one will be the Group One sprint in late January, six weeks between the runs and then after that, we'll make a decision whether we go to the (Hong Kong Classic) mile (1600m) or not."
The international challenge, which included British contender Starlust, fresh from Breeders' Cup success, and Australian raider Recommendation, failed to make an impact, finishing well behind the impressive winner.
Ka Ying Rising's remarkable journey continues, with connections eyeing the US$12.8 million Gr.1 The Everest at Randwick next October, where he'll aim to showcase his talents on the global stage. The gelding's record now stands at nine wins from eleven starts, marking him as one of the most exciting sprinting prospects in the region.