No disrespect to Romantic Soldier and what he has achieved this season, Horse of the Year is clearly Ka Ying Riding.
The debate has heated up since star jockey James McDonald made his case for Romantic Warrior after his Champions Group and Chater Cup (2,400m) wins, which completed the Triple Crown redemption and added another chapter to his history as Hong Kong racing immortality.
McDonald’s and Ka Ying Rising’s jockey, Zac Purton, went live on Australian radio on Thursday, making their case for their champion jockey.
But when all is said and done, it’s hard to imagine the Horse of the Year voting panel – which includes three Jockey Club officials and three members of the media – siding with Romantic Soldier over Ka Ying Rising.
While some expected Voyage Bubble to take the award for his Triple Crown glory – the first horse to achieve the feat in 31 years – last season, it was Ka Ying Rising who was named Horse of the Year after continuing his rise to eight wins, including four Group Ones, from the most.
This term, the David Hayes superstar has soared to new heights, adding a famous victory in the world’s richest turf race – the A$20 million (HK$111.5 million) The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick – to his second consecutive unbeaten campaign.
“Now I know you’re going to make the point (Soldier of Love) won the Triple Crown, Voyage Bubble won the Triple Crown last year and he didn’t win Horse of the Year,” Purton told SEN Radio.
“Just because you’re undefeated doesn’t mean you’re going to win. Just because you’ve won the Third Crown obviously doesn’t mean you’re going to win.”
“But if you look at Ka Ying Rising and what he’s done this season – he had eight starts for eight wins, no losses, five Group Ones including Everest in Australia, so he traveled overseas to win an international Group One race against the best in the world.
“He won HK$92 million in season stakes, that’s more than the HK$74 million that Romantic Warrior won.
“He has been judged to be the highest rated horse in the world by the Longines World Best Rating with a rating of 130. Romantic Warrior’s rating is 126.
“Timeform rated Ka Ying Rising the best jockey in the last 50 years – better than Black Caviar. So, for Australians who thought Black Caviar was the best horse in the world, Ka Ying Rising must win Horse of the Year in Hong Kong.
“Ka Ying Rising broke the track record three times in Hong Kong. He is now the highest rated horse in the history of Hong Kong in the country with 142 points, so if you look at everything Ka Ying Rising has done this season, compared to Romantic Warrior, Romantic Warrior is an amazing horse, not even a debate for Horse of the Year.”
Purton’s case is compelling. McDonald claimed Romantic Warrior’s record-extending fourth consecutive Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) win, adding to his record four Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) wins and becoming only the third horse to claim Triple Crown glory has made him a “no-brainer” for Horse of the Year.
Although Hayes said earlier this week that Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior should share the Horse of the Year award, Purton and McDonald believe it is an award that should not be shared. That view is shared by the Jockey Club at all its annual awards.
Wong Valley Success
The long wait for a Happy Valley win is finally over for Britney Wong Po-ni after the student brought home Tony Cruz’s son, Pak Fu, on Wednesday night.
Wong, who has ridden 28 winners at Sha Tin in the past two seasons, took his first trip to the city circuit last November and was pleased with a disappointing run at the famous track.
“I’m very happy and before this win I was up eight seconds already, so we were close but we didn’t win,” said Wong.
“I’m really happy we got the win today and I’m really grateful for Tony’s support and it’s a great honor to win for him – and get my first win here in Happy Valley.”
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