Ka Ying Attack confirmed his growing reputation with another polished display at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 1 July, producing a front-running performance to capture the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m). The progressive four-year-old made every post a winning one under Matthew Poon, highlighting an afternoon that also featured important victories in both the trainers’ and jockeys’ championship races.
Sha Tin race results.
David Hall’s talented gelding continued his upward trajectory with a commanding success in one of the day’s feature contests. Carrying 115lb, Ka Ying Attack broke smartly from barrier 10, settled into an early rhythm at the head of the field and never allowed his rivals to challenge seriously, crossing the line a length and a half clear of Beauty Bolt, with Regal Gem finishing third. The winner stopped the clock in an impressive 1:20.78 and also secured a HK$1 million PPG Bonus alongside the HK$2.84 million feature prize.
The victory marked Ka Ying Attack’s second consecutive success and strengthened the belief that the son of Too Darn Hot is capable of progressing even further next season.
Hall praised the consistency and determination shown by his stable star after another dominant display.
“He has been running well all season and his previous win was probably his best performance at the time,” Hall said. “The question was whether he could reproduce that effort and he certainly did. He handled the early pressure, controlled the race and kept finding to the line. He really enjoys racing on the turf at Sha Tin and his racing style suits Hong Kong perfectly. We hope there is still more improvement to come.”
Winning rider Matthew Poon was equally pleased with the performance, explaining that Ka Ying Attack’s light weight and natural speed were key factors despite the challenge of starting from a wide barrier.
“He loves to roll along and carrying 115lb helped him. The main concern was barrier 10, but once he found his rhythm everything went smoothly. Hopefully he comes back next season even stronger because he has the qualities to remain competitive in Class 2,” Poon said.
Elsewhere on the card, Straight To Glory finished powerfully to land the Class 3 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Handicap (1000m) for trainer Michael Chang and jockey Derek Leung.
The battle for the trainers’ championship remained finely balanced as Caspar Fownes recorded his 66th winner of the campaign when Silver Spurs claimed the Class 4 Serving The Community Handicap under apprentice Ellis Wong. That result preserved Fownes’ five-win advantage over Danny Shum, who responded with Nyx Gluck’s victory in the Class 4 Continuous Development Handicap under Zac Purton. Mark Newnham remained close behind in third place in the standings.
The jockeys’ championship also took another interesting turn as Hugh Bowman returned to second place with a double. Bowman partnered Lucky Sam Gor to victory in the Class 3 Sportsmanship Handicap before guiding Jolly Brilliant home in the Class 4 Riding High Together Handicap. Championship leader Zac Purton also added another success when Lahore captured the Class 4 Uncompromising Integrity Handicap for trainer Jamie Richards.
Karis Teetan and trainer Brett Crawford continued their productive partnership as King Of Fighters narrowly prevailed in the Class 4 The Friends Of Hong Kong Association Cup Handicap, giving the pair their 17th victory together this season.
Teetan completed a memorable afternoon aboard Motor in the Class 3 Better Future Handicap. The progressive performer notched his fourth victory from 11 starts this season, continuing an impressive rise through the handicap ranks.
Veteran Frantanck signed off his racing career on a winning note when the Pierre Ng-trained runner captured the Class 5 Racing Goes On Handicap under apprentice Nichola Yuen. A former dual winner in England, Frantanck retired after three Hong Kong victories and career earnings of HK$4.66 million.
Top To Sky also found the winner’s enclosure for trainer Dennis Yip and jockey Ethan Brown in the Class 5 World-Class Leadership Handicap, rounding off another competitive programme at Sha Tin.
The Sha Tin race results reflected the depth of quality across the meeting, with established performers and emerging talents both making their presence felt. Ka Ying Attack’s commanding victory, however, stood out as the headline performance and offered every indication that David Hall’s progressive four-year-old could develop into one of Hong Kong’s leading Class 2 horses next season.
Hong Kong racing now moves on to another Sha Tin fixture scheduled for Saturday, 4 July.
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