David Hayes is eyeing a remarkable 12th consecutive victory with his superstar sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, as the horse prepares for the highly anticipated HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin this Sunday, 27 April. The talented sprinter’s connections were undoubtedly holding their breath during the official barrier draw on Thursday, 24 April. As the final three barriers remained, Ka Ying Rising could have drawn from gates four, seven, or the dreaded outside barrier of 13. Fortunately, luck was on their side as John Size’s Helios Express pulled barrier 13, and soon after, Ka Ying Rising was allocated barrier four, which Hayes described as ideal.
With a mix of relief and confidence, Hayes expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “I was very, very happy to see barrier 13 come out for Helios Express,” Hayes said. “And I thought four was the dream barrier in that scenario. He’s a horse that overcomes barriers, but you don’t want to be the widest every time.” This favourable draw has further strengthened Hayes’ belief that Ka Ying Rising is in the best form of the year. He’s convinced that if the race unfolds smoothly, the sprinter should be a formidable $1.10 or $1.20 favourite, urging punters to back him if the odds go even lower.
Hayes has been vocal about Ka Ying Rising’s adaptability and versatility. The horse’s ability to thrive in any track conditions gives Hayes confidence that the sprinter could even break his own 1200m track record of 1m 07.20s at Sha Tin, provided there is enough early speed in the race. “If he flies the start, he might lead and take it up. If he jumps with them, he’ll probably box seat behind some obvious pace,” said Hayes, emphasizing the crucial role jockey Zac Purton will play. With Purton’s knack for navigating big races, Hayes is confident that the jockey will have a plan in place, whether Ka Ying Rising leads the race or takes a sit.
While Hayes is optimistic about his charge’s chances, he is also mindful of the competition. He feels that Ka Ying Rising is faster than the three horses drawn inside him – A Shin Fencer, Danon McKinley, and Beauty Waves – giving him an edge to secure the rail early on. “He’ll get the rail, and Zac will be able to choose whether he leads or takes a sit,” said Hayes, highlighting his sprinter’s tactical flexibility.
In terms of competition, Japan has sent a strong contingent to challenge the world’s highest-rated sprinter, with four horses entering the race. Leading the charge is Satono Reve, who drew barrier six. This horse comes into the race with impressive form, having won the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in his last outing, after finishing third to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint last December. Despite the challenge ahead, jockey Joao Moreira remains optimistic about Satono Reve’s chances. Having ridden the horse in his past two starts, Moreira is pleased with the barrier draw and believes that Satono Reve has the potential to pull off an upset.
“He is a big horse who needs a bit of space,” Moreira commented, noting that the race’s pace might come from the outside. “He is a bloody good horse and could be one of those causing an upset here. However, Ka Ying Rising deserves all the respect, and he has done so well and is one of the best sprinters in the world, if not the best.”
Moreira, who has watched Satono Reve mature into a competitive six-year-old, is confident that the horse doesn’t need to improve drastically to challenge Ka Ying Rising again. Reflecting on their performance in December, Moreira believes Satono Reve is in strong form and could replicate that effort if not surpass it. “It was good momentum, and I just hope we can keep it up,” he added. “It’s not easy, but we are going to try.”
The competition is fierce, but Ka Ying Rising’s unbeaten streak and his impeccable form make him the clear favourite heading into the race. With jockeys and trainers alike gearing up for a thrilling contest, all eyes will be on Sha Tin this Sunday, as the world’s top sprinter looks to extend his winning run.
