Ka Ying Rising, the world’s top-rated sprinter, has delighted David Hayes in his final fast turf gallop ahead of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (LONGINES HKIR) on 14 December as a string of local contenders sharpened preparations with barrier trials at Sha Tin today (Thursday, 4 December).
Ka Ying Rising will attempt to match Golden Sixty’s feat of winning 16 races in a row – a streak bettered only by Silent Witness (17 wins) as a Hong Kong, China-trained horse – when he tackles the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) next week.
Hayes believes his charge is on target after the five-time Group 1 winner surged over his final 400m in 21.6s in a sparkling turf gallop on Wednesday morning (3 December) under leading rider Zac Purton.
“I thought it was as good as you could ask the horse to work. Zac quickened on him, and he said he thought that he was at his top and he gave him a little dig and he extended again,” Hayes said.
“He just cantered around on the turf track and quickened the last 400 metres and ran home in 21.6 (seconds). He just gradually increased his work, and I think he would have broken 11 seconds for the last 200 (metres) without trying.
“I think Zac thought it was the best he’s felt in work, so he just keeps on improving and he’ll just do steady work into the big race. We’re very happy with him.”
Helios Express, who finished second to Ka Ying Rising in three Group 1 races last season and third in another, finished second to Packing Hermod in a 1200m barrier trial on dirt this morning (4 December).
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Helios Express finished ahead of four other LONGINES HKIR aspirants – Raging Blizzard (fourth), Galaxy Patch (fifth), Voyage Bubble (sixth) and Ka Ying Generation (seventh) – in an overall time of 1m 11.41s.
John Size-trained pair Bundle Award (third) and Red Lion (eighth) contested the second 1200m batch, which was won by stablemate Beauty Eternal in 1m 09.74s.
Massive Sovereign (fifth) and Ensued (eighth) featured in batch three, which was won by Public Attention in 1m 10.74s.
Harry Eustace-trained Docklands worked in leisurely fashion on the dirt ahead of the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) – one of the four Group 1 features next week, along with the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 December) with the Class 5 Ashley Handicap (1650m, dirt) at 1pm.
By Leo Schlink
