Ka Ying Rising to the peak of his power as a top athlete breaks Sha Tin’s record again | HK Championship

Champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising cruised to a record 19th straight victory in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m), obliterating Sha Tin’s record in another gallery performance.

Zac Purton was within the world’s best once again as he knocked eight tenths of a second off the previous mark to record a time of 1:07.12.

The David Hayes-trained star has gone 784 days unbeaten, and Purton believes the champion is now at the peak of his powers.

“I think what we’re seeing now is who he is. It would be impossible to think he’s going to improve. I think his play is there, for sure,” Purton said.

While the tailwind down the Sha Tin straight was beneficial for a fast lap, the headwind around the bend presented a challenge – making success all the more impressive according to Hayes.

“It was exceptional when you look at the time and ease he ran, and the times they were running in other races today. Down the straight with the tailwind – fast times – but around the edge they weren’t that fast and he did it easily,” Hayes said.

“I think they must have gone too hard into the wind and then he came out and took advantage of the tailwind. It was one of his easy wins but when they have thirty-one goals, maybe they should win easily, but it’s not easy to do.”

While the five-year-old came out of the barriers a little slower than last start, Purton used his early pace to land behind the leader and was briefly level with Stellar Express before keeping him out 300m to go on to beat Helios Express by four and a quarter lengths.

“I wasn’t there to run the time today. Of course, Stellar Express ran and that started it and I got my horse into a lovely rhythm and he went down very nicely. It’s even better he picked up the pace at the top of the straight,” Purton said.

Ka Ying Rising carried 128lbs – an extra 5lbs to the rest of the field – as she stepped back in distance from her last trip over 1,400m when she won the Group One Queen’s Jubilee Silver Cup.

“Things were there to try and bother him a little bit with the extra weight to carry, as well as the long back, but he’s different,” Purton said.

Ka Ying Rising’s immediate focus will be defending the Group One Athlete Chair (1,200m) title on April 26, followed by a Group Two Everest (1,200m) tilt at Randwick in October. Hayes is looking forward to competing in international competitions at home and abroad.

“Satono Reve ran an amazing time in Japan the other day and won very easily, and he’s the best in Japan and he’s proven in Europe. The horses that have come here are no slouch and he’s beaten them very well,” Hayes said.

“Everest will have different opposition – there are some very good young horses in Australia that we are looking forward to racing – and they can come here for international races.”

Ka Ying Rising continues to improve with age and maturity and Hayes believes that will be a key factor as he continues throughout his career.

“Behind the gates and everything he does, he takes it really well, and he’s a quiet horse. He’s just maturing and it’s been a golden year this year, but I think he’ll have another one next year,” Hayes said.

The world-class trainer has no plans to change Ka Ying Rising’s winning formula and will continue to prepare the son of Shamexpress as before.

“We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing because it’s working really well. It’s not stressing our horse and we hope to have him for a few more seasons – preferably one more at the top,” Hayes said.

Comments