Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
New Zealand-breds filled the first four placings in the HK$28 million Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint, with superstar Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) extending his winning streak to 16 in a commanding display.
The gelding secured his sixth Group One victory to match the mighty Golden Sixty’s feat of posting 16 straight wins to be now only one short of Hong Kong’s record of 17, held by Silent Witness, and enhanced his own record to 17 wins and two seconds from 19 starts with prize money of HK$122.5 million.
In a powerhouse display after drawing barrier one for the first time in his career, the Shamexpress gelding produced one of his best victories with another masterful ride from Zac Purton, who steered the champion into the middle of the home straight in search of the best ground.
Ka Ying Rising surged away to beat Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto) by three-and-three-quarter lengths, with Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote) third for a New Zealand bred trifecta in 1m 07.7s after being eased down by Purton over the closing 150 metres.
Purton said Ka Ying Rising’s performance was what everyone wanted to see.
“His last run showed us that it was on the cards today,” he said. “He drew the right gate, and when the barrier came out, they said, ‘What do you think?’ And I said he would win by further.
“He is just in a league of his own now. And not having to do that extra work into the first corner from a wide gate to try and get forward, probably helped him.
Purton said Ka Ying Rising travelled beautifully throughout the race, and he just made sure he gave him his chance.
Declaring Ka Ying Rising the best horse he has trained, David Hayes said he was relieved the five-year-old gelding didn’t let the stable or the public’s expectations down.
“He was just superb today,” he said. “The messages he was sending the week of the race suggested he’d do something like that. We are not running fast times today but he did – (running) a lot faster than the other races.”
Hayes said he hoped the six-time Group 1 winner had another 20 races in him.
Hayes said there were horses in the race with Royal Ascot, Dubai and Breeders’ Cup form and they were probably the best sprinters around, and while Ka Ying Rising was making them look ordinary, he said they certainly weren’t.
He said every time Ka Ying Rising races, there was something significant he had to do, including his next two starts when he aims to equal and then break Silent Witness’ winning streak.
“He is a lot heavier and stronger now, so physically he is really improving and it is showing on the track,” Hayes said.
“The great thing about him is that he doesn’t have to lead. Today Zac wanted to take all of the risk out of it so he could get off the fence and that is another string to his bow.”
Hayes said Ka Ying Rising would be again set for Hong Kong’s Speed Series, and it would be fun to see him stretch out to 1400m like last year.
“It will then be the big international sprint here and then he’ll be going to The Everest,” he said. “Let’s just hope he is sound and well and if he is in the form he was today, we’d love to take those Aussies on again.”
Hayes predicted Ka Ying Rising will soon beat his Sha Tin 1200m track record of 1m 07.20.
“Zac has been easing him down in his past couple of races,” he said. “He probably ran about 20 lengths quicker than the Class 3 and the Class 4 (1200m), which he probably should.”
