After breaking Hong Kong’s Silent Witness record of 17 consecutive victories, David Hayes has an easier target for his champion athlete Ka Ying Rising.
“We’d just like to go two-and-a-half years without defeat,” Hayes said ahead of Ka Ying Rising’s bid for a 19th straight win in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Monday.
“Two unbeaten seasons in a row – he’s a very special horse, isn’t he? If he can win two Speed Series and The Everest in between, that would be great.”
Fresh from a record-breaking demolition job in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) last start, Ka Ying Rising faces just six opponents on Monday before rounding off his season in the Group One Chairman’s Stakes (1,200m) on April 26.
“It’s always nice to win and I’m looking forward to it, but the one I’ll be more worried about is the next one – it’s the first international Group A and the last race of the Speed Series,” Hayes said.
“He did his last work on Thursday morning and it was very good. He has a barrier five, which is a positive and a good race for him. He has to give them a bit of weight, but he did that last year and he is a better horse this year.”
Ka Ying Rising carries 128 pounds and accepts 5 pounds for Helios Express, Raging Blizzard, Tomodachi Kokoroe, Beauty Waves, Lucky With You and Stellar Express.
He had three wins in the Sprint Cup last year before emerging as the first winner of the Sprint Chairman’s Award.
With Ka Ying Rising holding an unbreakable lead in the Sprint Cup, Hayes will be shortchanged in Monday’s other feature, the Group Two Chairman’s Cup (1,600m).
The Australian regulator will introduce Rubylot and Storm Rider and estimate its best position.
“It’s a good race. My two are very capable horses,” Hayes said.
“I think Rubylot is the one who is ready to do really well. The other horse is in the trial at a distance, but Rubylot is the one who ran and should run very well.
“Last start he had a bad block and a lot of weight, he came back and worked the way well.”
Having been struck down by a ligament injury in November, Rubylot returned with a 10th place behind Winning Over over 1,400m.
Last year’s Classic Cup winner (1,800m) looks fit to step up to 1,600m and has found the sixth gate with Lyle Hewitson on board.
Storm Rider, who won the Group Three China Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) in January, faces his second test over a mile. The six-time winner jumps from gate 12 for jockey Harry Bentley.
Sitting fourth in the trainers’ championship with 40 wins, Hayes has carried 10 runners on Monday, with Fortune Boy one of the favorites outside of two features.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Fortune Boy who has missed out on the Derby. I think he’s in good shape and he’s a good, young player,” Hayes said.
Fortune Boy returns to the Derby in the Class Three Home Handicap (2,000m). The consistent four-year-old had a win, two placings and four fourths this season.
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