Trainer David Hayes sounded a familiar note of satisfaction on Tuesday morning as Ka Ying Rising delivered another polished rehearsal ahead of the Ka Ying Rising Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup challenge at Sha Tin. The sprint phenomenon, now a five-year-old and already a fixture at the top of the global rankings, showed both composure and speed in a barrier trial that underlined his readiness for another major test.
With the HK$13 million Group 1 feature on 22 February looming, Hayes was keen to see the gelding settle early as he prepares to stretch back out to 1400 metres for just the second time in his career. The brief was met with ease. Ka Ying Rising coasted through his work before stopping the clock at 1m 08.03s for 1200 metres — his fastest trial at the trip to date — all without being asked for anything extravagant.
Hayes was quick to highlight the manner rather than the margin.
“He broke one eight, and I don’t think Zac was doing too much on him. He had a nice healthy blow,” the trainer said. “We let him relax early, practising for 1400, and I loved the way he responded. He took a sit, travelled sweetly, and when Zac asked him, he quickened like he always does.”
Ka Ying Rising Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Build-Up Takes Shape
Breaking cleanly, Ka Ying Rising travelled second through the opening stages, recording splits of 24.0 seconds for the first 400 metres and 22.0 seconds for the next. Sliding into the lead approaching the home turn, he lengthened smoothly and drew away under a firm hold, signing off with a sharp final 400 metres in 22.0 seconds.
Champion jockey Zac Purton, by now well accustomed to such displays, summed it up succinctly after dismounting.
“Just the same as usual,” he said of the seven-time Group 1 winner.
The trial served as another reminder of the gelding’s rare consistency. Currently level with Silent Witness on 17 consecutive victories — the most ever achieved by a Hong Kong-trained horse — Ka Ying Rising is chasing a slice of history if he can land the Ka Ying Rising Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and make it 18 on the bounce.
His only previous attempt at 1400 metres came in last season’s edition of the same race, when he prevailed under Karis Teetan. Ten runners have been entered for this year’s renewal, with familiar elite names such as Lucky Sweynesse, Helios Express, Galaxy Patch and Red Lion among the prospective challengers.
Beyond February, the New Zealand-bred gelding is expected to be aimed once more at Sydney’s Royal Randwick in October for The Everest over 1200 metres, as connections seek to extend his reign at the summit of international sprinting.
Already a standout earner, Ka Ying Rising has amassed more than HK$129.85 million in prize money, a figure that reflects both his longevity and his dominance at the highest level.
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