After extending his remarkable unbeaten sequence at Sha Tin on Sunday, Ka Ying Rising will now be given a break, with trainer David Hayes confirming the world’s leading sprinter is being readied for another international campaign later this year.
The Hong Kong sprint star produced yet another emphatic display on FWD Champions Day (26 April), capturing the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) in record-breaking fashion. It marked his 20th consecutive victory, further enhancing a reputation that has already placed him among the greats of the modern era.
Hayes, speaking just days after the performance, made it clear the priority is to preserve the gelding’s peak condition for bigger targets ahead. The nine-time Group 1 winner will now head to Conghua for a period of rest before preparations begin for a return to Sydney.
“I could run him today,” Hayes said with a smile. “He’s fantastic. But he’s earned a break. We’ll look ahead to next season now.”
The immediate long-term aim is a defence of The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on 17 October, a race Ka Ying Rising won last year as the first overseas-trained victor. The rich sprint contest remains firmly at the forefront of Hayes’ thinking, alongside a return to Hong Kong’s major international meeting in December.
At Sha Tin, Ka Ying Rising once again lowered his own course record over 1200 metres, stopping the clock at 1m 07.10s and achieving a peak local rating of 142. It was a performance of rare authority, underlining both his consistency and his ability to produce elite speed under pressure.
Away from the headline act, Hayes will be represented by six runners at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening. Among them is Akashvani, who lines up in a competitive Class 2 Seoul Handicap (1000m). The trainer believes the drop in trip could play to the horse’s strengths.
“We feel he goes well at the Valley,” Hayes noted. “He’ll be strong late. He’s a very honest type.”
Jockey Karis Teetan, enjoying a productive month, partners Spirit Of Peace for John Size in the Class 3 Busan Handicap (1200m). Drawn wide in barrier nine, the gelding is expected to be ridden patiently.
“He’s improving all the time,” Teetan said. “He tries hard and just needs the right race shape. Hopefully, it comes together.”
Teetan also highlighted Nautical Force, another from the Size stable, as a horse of interest heading into Sunday’s Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin. The gelding impressed on debut over 1800m and now faces a sterner stamina test.
“He can stay all day,” Teetan remarked. “It’s a step up, but he looks the type who can handle it.”
Back at Happy Valley, Thunder Prince will attempt to follow up his recent breakthrough victory in the Class 4 Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap (1200m). Trainer Jamie Richards is optimistic, despite a more challenging draw.
“He’s taken time to put it together, but he’s in good form now,” Richards said. “We’ll see how he handles it this time.”
General Redwood, another recent winner, returns in the Class 4 Incheon Handicap (1650m) with Angus Chung aboard. The pair combined successfully earlier this month after adopting more positive tactics.
“It was a change of plan last time,” Chung explained. “But it worked well, and he’s going nicely.”
Wednesday’s nine-race programme at Happy Valley begins at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Daejeon Handicap (1800m), offering a competitive evening of racing while attention gradually turns to the next chapter in Ka Ying Rising’s already extraordinary career.
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