Zac Purton does not deal in hyperbole, but even he struggles to find fault with Ka Ying Rising as the champion sprinter prepares to chase yet another landmark victory at Sha Tin on Easter Monday.
The remarkable gelding, trained by David Hayes, will line up in the Group 2 Sprint Cup over 1200 metres seeking a 19th consecutive win — a sequence that has already carried him beyond the long-standing record set by Silent Witness and into rarefied territory.
There was a time when such a run might have seemed improbable. Now, it has become expected.
Purton, who has partnered the horse throughout his rise, keeps his assessment simple.
“I can’t see why he can’t continue doing what he’s been doing,” said Zac Purton. “He’s uncomplicated. If he begins cleanly and settles where he should, he does the rest.”
Ka Ying Rising’s most recent success came in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, where he again displayed the authority that has become his hallmark. That victory pushed his winning streak to 18 and reinforced his position at the summit of the global rankings — a reflection of both consistency and class at the highest level.
His preparation for Monday’s assignment has followed a familiar, untroubled path. A sharp piece of work earlier in the week suggested he has lost none of his edge, and there has been little in his demeanour to indicate anything other than business as usual.
“He’s in good form and good spirits, as he always is,” Purton noted.
Drawn in gate five, the race is likely to unfold on his terms. He has shown versatility in running style, but most importantly, an ability to respond when it matters — a trait that has defined his unbeaten stretch, which began quietly enough in Class 3 company in early 2024 and has since grown into one of the sport’s most compelling modern sequences.
Now an eight-time Group 1 winner, his résumé includes multiple triumphs at the highest level in Hong Kong, along with a notable international success in The Everest, underlining his adaptability beyond local competition.
The Sprint Cup forms part of a public holiday programme that also features the Chairman’s Trophy over a mile, where Hayes will saddle Storm Rider and Rubylot. The former drops in weight and shapes as a potential improver at the distance, while the latter is expected to come on from his recent return.
For Purton, the coming days will involve travel between major engagements, including a stint in Sydney for top-level rides. Yet his immediate focus remains on the horse that has come to define his current chapter.
Should Ka Ying Rising deliver once again, it would be less a surprise than a continuation — another chapter in a sequence that has steadily shifted from impressive to extraordinary.
Monday’s meeting at Sha Tin begins at 12:30 pm, with the Sprint Cup set to draw the spotlight as the afternoon’s centrepiece.
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