Aiming for a 12th consecutive victory with Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), David Hayes had to endure a few nervous moments before the world’s highest-rated sprinter drew perfectly in barrier four for the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (27 April).
With only three barriers left to be drawn at the official barrier draw function at Sha Tin today (Thursday, 24 April), Ka Ying Rising was faced with the prospect of drawing either gates four, seven or the outside barrier of 13.
Luckily for Hayes, John Size’s Helios Express drew barrier 13 and then with two barriers left, Ka Ying Rising was allocated barrier four.
“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 is a horse that overcomes barriers but you don’t want to be the widest every time.”
Confidence continues to grow for Hayes who says Ka Ying Rising is in at least the best form he has been in all year.
He said the stable star would run a mighty race and if he gets a normal run, he should be a genuine $1.10 or $1.20 chance.
“And if he is better than $1.20, then back him,” he said.
A versatile galloper who adapts to all track conditions, Hayes said Ka Ying Rising could break his own Sha Tin track record of 1m 07.20s for 1200m if there was enough early speed in the race.
“He can take a sit or lead, either way.”
Hayes said that he believes Ka Ying Rising is a bit faster than the three horses – A Shin Fencer, Danon McKinley and Beauty Waves – drawn inside him.
Japan has four contenders in the race headed by Satono Reve who drew six having last start won the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in his first run since finishing third to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 8 December.
Joao Moreira, who has ridden Satono Reve in his past two starts, again takes the ride on Sunday but isn’t underestimating the task it will take to topple the world’s top sprinter.
He said he was happy with the barrier draw.
“He is a big horse who needs a bit of space,” Moreira said. “It seems like the real pace will 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 said Satono Reve is reaching his peak as a six-year-old and doesn’t have to improve too much on last December’s effort to finish alongside Ka Ying Rising.
“It was good momentum and I just hope we can keep it up,” he said. “It’ not easy but we are going to try.”
Moreira said it was impressive performance in Japan when he downed what the globe-trotting jockey said was a very strong field. He said Satono Reve had improved since his Hong Kong mission and was more competitive.
“As you probably know, I sat on him this morning and looking around on the track with him and he gave me a good feel once again and I can’t see a reason why he can’t perform once again,” Moreira said. By Daryl Timms
