A cheer rippled through Sha Tin on Sunday as Zac Purton planted a celebratory kiss on Ka Ying Rising’s sleek neck, marking another moment in a remarkable journey. The gelding’s eyes sparkled with energy, his stride effortless, as he extended his unbeaten streak to 15 races, drawing the Hong Kong racing world ever closer to a historic record.
Ka Ying Rising (128lb) tore through the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) with commanding authority, clocking 1m 07.33s — the second-fastest time ever over the distance at Sha Tin, narrowly shy of his own track record of 1m 07.20s. Despite easing down in the final 100m, Purton’s mount left nine rivals trailing in his wake.
Starting from barrier 10, Ka Ying Rising conceded five pounds to the field but jumped cleanly, briefly tracking Beauty Waves before asserting his dominance. The sectional from 800m to 400m was a blistering 21.93s, yet Purton noted the tempo still left him wanting. Straightening for home, Ka Ying Rising surged clear in the final 200m and was allowed to saunter across the finish, beating Fast Network (123lb) by two-and-three-quarter lengths, with Helios Express another length-and-three-quarters back in third.
This remarkable victory places Ka Ying Rising third in Hong Kong for the most consecutive wins, behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16). With the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint on 14 December looming, the Shamexpress-trained gelding shows no signs of slowing, having recently returned from a victorious campaign at G1 The Everest in Sydney on 18 October.
Purton was full of praise: “He just looks better all the time. Mentally he’s improving, handling everything with ease. Mid-race, he wanted to go quicker, and that’s the beauty of this horse — the faster they go, the better he is.”
Trainer David Hayes echoed the sentiment: “It was probably one of his best wins visually. Zac agreed, feeling the horse gave him the best impression in the last 15 races. He carried the heaviest Hong Kong weight he’s ever carried today, which shows he’s bigger, stronger, better.”
Elsewhere at Sha Tin, the battle for the homegrown rider’s berth in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on 10 December intensified. Vincent Ho leads Jerry Chau 11-10 after claiming the Class 4 BOCHK Cross-Border Services Handicap (1200m) on Mabubu (127lb), only for Chau to strike back on Sky Joy (122lb) in the Class 3 BOC Credit Card Handicap (1200m).
Hugh Bowman is now one win shy of Luke Ferraris in the fight for the final LONGINES IJC spot, following success on Do Your Part (135lb) in the Class 4 BOC Life Handicap (1400m). Dylan Mo, Zac Purton, James McDonald, and other top jockeys all notched victories across the seven-race card, highlighting a thrilling day of high-class racing at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 26 November, promising more excitement as jockeys, trainers, and horses build toward the season’s key international fixtures.
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Finish Order (Top 3) – BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint:
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Ka Ying Rising (128lb) – Zac Purton / David Hayes
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Fast Network (123lb)
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Helios Express
