Ka Ying Rising strengthened his claims for another successful The Everest campaign at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, September 6, when the six-year-old shattered his own 1200m course record for the fifth time in the G3 HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S CUP HANDICAP (1200m). Ridden by Zac Purton, the David Hayes-trained gelding stopped the clock at 1m 06.11s, almost one second faster than his previous Sha Tin 1200m record.
The HK$4.2 million feature success extended Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak to 21 consecutive victories, a Hong Kong record. His overall record now stood at 22 wins and two seconds from 24 starts, with prizemoney reaching HK$160,923,900.
Ka Ying Rising Sets Fifth Sha Tin 1200m Record
Ka Ying Rising produced another dominant performance despite conceding as much as 20lb to several rivals. He completed the opening 400m in 23.27s before covering the next 400m in 21.15s. He then clocked 21.69s for the final 400m to finish 7¾ lengths clear of Copartner Prance, who carried 115lb. Magic Control, also on 115lb, finished third, a further 1½ lengths behind.
Hayes said the gelding had returned bigger, stronger and better and believed his physical development had contributed to the performance.
Ka Ying Rising had undergone five to six hours of veterinary attention earlier in the week after suffering bruising to a hind leg. CT and Doppler scans were carried out under sedation on September 1, but Hayes said the issue did not disrupt the horse’s preparation for Sunday’s race.
Purton explained that he had allowed Ka Ying Rising to find his rhythm on the firm and fast track before asking him to increase the pressure. The jockey had eased the gelding down over the final 200m when winning the same race last year, but this time allowed him to run through the line.
The performance also came after a significant physical change. Ka Ying Rising weighed 1,172lb, 29lb heavier than when he established last season’s track record and around 9lb above his previous best winning weight. Purton said the additional weight reflected greater physical development rather than excess condition.
Ka Ying Rising had not raced since April, and Purton felt the run would help bring him forward ahead of his next assignment.
The Everest Preparation Underway
Less than two hours after his Sha Tin victory, Ka Ying Rising entered quarantine for a return to Australia and the AU$20 million G1 THE EVEREST (1200m) in Sydney next month.
Hayes believed Ka Ying Rising would arrive in better condition for this year’s THE EVEREST than he did in 2025. The trainer felt the horse had been too fresh when he travelled to Sydney last year and said the stable would continue building his base work so that he did not arrive mentally too fresh.
Hayes also had no concerns about the quarantine process, pointing to Ka Ying Rising’s previous success at Canterbury and his ability to handle the environment.
The trainer also defended the quality of the horses Ka Ying Rising had defeated, noting that many were well-rated Group performers internationally even if the strength of the champion gelding made their performances appear less impressive.
Ka Ying Rising’s Record-Breaking Sha Tin Career
Ka Ying Rising first lowered the longstanding Sha Tin 1200m record of Sacred Kingdom when he clocked 1m 07.43s in the G2 BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT (1200m) in 2024. He subsequently reduced the mark to 1m 07.20s in the G1 CENTENARY SPRINT CUP (1200m) in 2025.
During his previous campaign, he also set course records of 1m 19.36s in the G1 QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE CUP (1400m), 1m 07.12s in the G2 SPRINT CUP (1200m) and 1m 07.10s in the G1 CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE (1200m).
Sunday’s meeting also produced two other Sha Tin class records. Good Fortune carried 112lb to complete the Class 5 GLENEALY HANDICAP (1200m) in 1m 08.59s for Pierre Ng and Nichola Yuen, while General Smart carried 124lb to win the Class 5 HARCOURT HANDICAP (1600m) in 1m 33.91s for Danny Shum and Andrea Atzeni.
Lightness Of Music, carrying 135lb, won the Class 4 DUDDELL HANDICAP (1000m) for Danny Shum and Zac Purton. Light Years Glory carried 126lb to take the second section of the Class 4 EDINBURGH HANDICAP (1200m) for David Eustace and Luke Ferraris.
Baby Sakura secured the Class 3 COTTON TREE HANDICAP (1400m) for Francis Lui and Vincent Ho. The Tagaloa gelding recorded his fourth victory from seven starts and was subsequently aimed towards the HK$14 million HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE (1600m) on January 31.
Spicy Standard won the first section of the Class 4 EDINBURGH HANDICAP (1200m) for John Size and Andrea Atzeni, giving Atzeni a double on the card.
Sing Dragon captured the Class 2 ALBERT HANDICAP (1400m) for Chris So and Matthew Chadwick, while Joyful Joy took the Class 4 FENWICK HANDICAP (1400m) for Hugh Bowman and Mark Newnham.
Jumbo Treasure completed the card by winning the Class 3 BATTERY HANDICAP (1200m) for Cody Mo and Derek Leung. The victory was his fifth from 15 starts.
Ka Ying Rising produced another record-breaking display at Sha Tin Racecourse, setting a fifth 1200m course record and extending his winning streak to 21 victories. The champion will now head into quarantine before beginning preparations for THE EVEREST in Sydney next month.
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