David Hayes is quietly confident that Centenary Sprint Cup favourite Ka Ying Rising remains at the peak of his powers as the world’s highest-rated sprinter prepares for another defining moment at Sha Tin on Sunday, 25 January. With history within reach, the unbeaten star carries not just form but expectation into Hong Kong’s flagship speed contest.
Unbeaten in 16 starts since February 2024, Ka Ying Rising will draw level with Silent Witness’ long-standing record of 17 consecutive victories by a Hong Kong-trained horse should he prevail in the HK$13 million Group 1. The race anchors a high-quality double-header that also includes the Stewards’ Cup, ensuring Sha Tin once again sits firmly at the centre of the global racing conversation.
Crowned Timeform Horse of the Year for 2025 and recognised in the latest World’s Best Racehorse Rankings as the world’s leading sprinter, Ka Ying Rising has built a remarkable résumé. He has now won 17 of his 19 career starts, six of them at the highest level, and has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to dominate elite opposition with authority.
Hayes insists there has been no dip since the gelding’s commanding December triumph in the Hong Kong Sprint, a performance that confirmed his status beyond doubt. The trainer points to consistency as the hallmark of a truly exceptional horse, noting that Ka Ying Rising continues to deliver elite ratings whenever he steps onto the track.
Centenary Sprint Cup: Record on the Line for Ka Ying Rising
The Centenary Sprint Cup itself holds added significance for the champion. It was in this race last season that he stopped the clock in 1 minute 07.20 seconds, breaking his own Sha Tin 1200-metre track record. From barrier four under Zac Purton, he will again be asked to assert his authority against six rivals.
Hayes will also saddle Tomodachi Kokoroe, partnered by Harry Bentley, as he looks to regain momentum at Group 1 level. The field also includes Helios Express, Fast Network, Raging Blizzard, Beauty Waves and Lucky With You, ensuring the contest retains both depth and intrigue.
John Size, a 13-time Hong Kong champion trainer, sends out Raging Blizzard and Helios Express, both familiar with the demands of top-level sprinting. Raging Blizzard finished second behind Ka Ying Rising in December, while Helios Express has been a model of consistency throughout the campaign. Size believes little separates his pair on raw ability, suggesting race shape and conditions will ultimately decide their fate.
Attention will then shift to the Stewards’ Cup, the opening leg of the Triple Crown, where Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior renew their compelling rivalry. Size will be represented by Red Lion, the reigning Champions Mile winner, who breaks from the inside gate under Hugh Bowman after a strong international performance in December.
Voyage Bubble, last season’s Triple Crown hero, bids for a third straight Stewards’ Cup from barrier six, while Romantic Warrior jumps from gate seven. Alongside fellow Group 1 winners Red Lion and Lucky Sweynesse, the line-up is completed by Beauty Joy, Galaxy Patch, Straight Arron, My Wish and Sunlight Power, promising a searching test for all involved.
Size reports his team has trained on smoothly since international day and expects them to reproduce their best form. Yet even with meticulous preparation, he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of racing when champions of this calibre converge on the same stage.
Sunday’s Sha Tin programme features 11 races, beginning with the Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap over 1000 metres at 12.30pm, setting the tone for a meeting rich in quality and consequence.
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