Superstar KA YING RISING looks set to continue his remarkable winning streak when he lines up in Sunday’s Group 3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup over 1200m at Sha Tin on the opening day of the new season.
With an outstanding Hong Kong rating of 142, KA YING RISING is rated 33 points clear of the next-highest runner in this feature, COPARTNER PRANCE, a significant advantage given that several of his rivals are out of the handicap. The David Hayes-trained champion has strung together 20 consecutive wins and claimed five Group 1 victories last season, including The Everest at Randwick in October, further cementing his status as the world’s best sprinter.
Resuming off two dominant trial wins by a combined margin of 11.75 lengths, KA YING RISING looks extremely hard to oppose. For most punters, the bigger question may not be whether he wins, but by how far and in what manner.
The Class 3 Handicap over 1400m at Sha Tin looks a wide-open contest on Sunday, with three runners holding strong winning claims.
AEROINVINCIBLE possesses tactical speed and could prove hard to run down if allowed to dictate on the front end. However, CIRCUIT CHAMPION, who finished just 0.25 lengths behind AEROINVINCIBLE at their most recent meeting, is well placed to turn the tables. BABY SAKURA also commands plenty of respect after ending his last preparation with a win in this grade, while trainer Francis Lui has identified him as one to follow in the new season.
