Zac Purton will not be chasing the clock at Sha Tin on Sunday, despite guiding one of Hong Kong’s most dominant sprinters toward another landmark performance. Instead, the champion jockey’s priority is simple: secure victory and preserve Ka Ying Rising for what could become a defining campaign in modern racing.
The HK$24 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) forms the centrepiece of an outstanding FWD Champions Day card on 26 April, with Ka Ying Rising poised to extend his remarkable winning sequence to 20 races—an unprecedented streak for a Hong Kong-trained horse.
Purton, who partnered the superstar in his most recent success, believes the gelding is still improving, a rare trait at the elite level. His last-start victory in the Group 2 Sprint Cup on 6 April was described by the rider as a career-best effort, achieved under testing conditions while lowering his own 1200m track record to 1m 07.12s.
“He is fresh, looks good and he is ready to go on Sunday,” Purton said during trackwork at Sha Tin. “He pulls up like he has been out for a canter and recovers very quickly. His aerobic capacity is what sets him apart.”
That engine has underpinned a level of consistency rarely seen. Since returning from international competition, Ka Ying Rising has repeatedly produced ratings at the top end of the scale, peaking at 130 in his latest outing.
What sets him apart, however, is not just dominance—but progression. “Most horses reach a level early and plateau,” Purton noted. “I’ve never ridden one that has continued to improve like he has.”
There has been external pressure to chase history in another form. Messages urging Purton to crack the elusive 1m 06s barrier arrive regularly, but both rider and trainer are aligned in their approach this weekend.
“Last start, the record came because the race set up that way,” Purton explained. “You don’t force those things. I’d prefer he wins without going to the bottom of the barrel so he can come out of it well.”
Trainer David Hayes echoed that sentiment, emphasising flexibility rather than fixation. Drawn in barrier three for the first time over 1200 metres, Ka Ying Rising is expected to benefit from a low gate in what is likely to be a compact field of eight.
“With his tactical speed, he can adapt,” Hayes said. “If they go hard, he can sit. If they go steady, he can lead.”
Beyond Sunday, the long-term outlook continues to intrigue. While sprint races in Hong Kong and Australia offer rich opportunities, Hayes has not ruled out stretching the gelding’s range.
“With his heart and lung capacity, a mile wouldn’t be an issue,” he said. “But we’ll take it one race at a time. If he remains healthy into another unbeaten season, we might explore further.”
Sunday’s 11-race programme begins at 12:30pm with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (1200m), building toward a feature that could further cement Ka Ying Rising’s place among the sport’s modern greats.
The focus, for now, remains firmly on winning—not records.
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