Defying history and testing track conditions, rising star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) continued an irrepressible advance through Hong Kong’s sprint ranks with record-breaking success in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Illuminating gloomy conditions in front of a crowd of 42,556, Ka Ying Rising (135lb) set a weight-carrying record in the season-opening feature to cruise to his sixth victory from eight starts, clocking a slick 1m 08.03s in good-to-yielding conditions.
Ridden confidently by Zac Purton, David Hayes’ four-year-old settled in second place behind stablemate Harmony N Blessed until the 300m mark before surging clear to win by a one and a quarter length from Beauty Waves (115lb), with Superb Capitalist (115lb) a further one and three quarters of a length further away in third.
Since 1997, no topweight has won the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup and only two horses – The Duke in 2004 and Winner’s Way in 2018 – have carried 130lb to victory. The two most recent winners of the race – Victor The Winner and Lucky Sweynesse – both carried 115lb before advancing to Group 1 triumphs in the same season.
Bred by Grandmoral Lodge Racing, Ka Ying Rising was unextended in victory but still managed to clock 21.94s for the final 400m on a track softened by rain.
David Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising would be aimed at the HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) on 20 October and HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on 17 November in preparation for the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 8 December.
Hayes said last season’s Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse had defied convention to win.
“I was very nervous because common sense said a young horse carrying 135lb in testing conditions and giving a lot of good horses weight couldn’t win. But he did it brilliantly and I’m so proud of him. He’s a bit special, isn’t he?” Hayes said.
“Physically, he’s put on about 20lb and mentally he’s a lot better according to Zac. That’s why I wanted to run him early in the season because he’s had a lot of time off. He defied logic then. A lot of smart people said the horse he beat, Beauty Waves, would be hard to beat.
“I think going forward it’s the most important thing that you’re not a one-dimensional sprinter and what’s good about him is he can follow and join – he doesn’t just have to lead.”
Purton, who finished the meeting with a quartet, said Ka Ying Rising effectively won the race with a blistering start.
“He absolutely flew the start and it won him the race. He got into the right spot without having to do too much work. The race was run at a nice rhythm for him, the track is not wet yet – it’s still racing quite well, so I don’t think that was an issue for him to carry the bit weight,” Purton said.
“He pulled himself into it on straightening, which I really liked because he had the big weight and you don’t want him get outsprinted, so I allowed him to let down under his own steam, which was ideal because he did it in a nice fashion.”
Purton said it was too early to predict how high Ka Ying Rising could yet climb.
“He’s won a Group 3 race, so he’s got a long way to go – we’ll find out,” he said.
Purton began his quest for an eighth championship with victory in the opening race of the season – the Class 5 Kowloon Peak Handicap (1600m) – aboard Chris So-trained Go Go Go (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and hopes the gelding’s breakthrough triumph will prove to be a positive omen.
“The last time I won the first race of the season, I broke the record for most number of wins (179 in 2022/23) in a season, so let’s hope history repeats,” the Australian said.
Purton also partnered Dennis Yip’s Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote), who scored impressively in the Class 4 Lantau Peak Handicap (1000m) as Britney Wong marked her Hong Kong debut with a fine third placing aboard David Hall-trained Glorious Expert.
