Ka Ying Rising impresses in trial return after Everest second
Ka Ying Rising is primed for his Hong Kong return in the HK$5.35 million G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) after an impressive barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday.
In his first trial appearance since his 21-race winning streak was brought to an end when he finished second in October’s G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney, the world’s top-rated racehorse stopped the clock in 1m 08.80s after a brisk outing on the 1200m dirt course, beating Helios Express by two lengths.
Ka Ying Rising jumped smartly before Zac Purton eased him back to third, then swung wide on the turn and sprinted clear under a hold.
“He was really good,” trainer David Hayes said.
“It was a very fast run trial, and I love seeing him relaxing in third. He looks like he’s come back – like last year – in terrific form.”
Ka Ying Rising is preparing to try and become the first three-time winner of the HK$28 million G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 13, and Hayes said there would be no need for a further hit-out before the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint on November 22.
“That was his major hit-out. He’ll probably do a little bit of striding work next Wednesday (18 November), and that’ll be it,” Hayes said.
The two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer again raised the prospect of a step up in distance for the champion sprinter later in the season.
Hayes said his schedule will be “copied and pasted” from last season up to the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on February 21, at which point he – along with owner, the Ka Ying Syndicate – will decide whether to pursue a repeat of Ka Ying Rising’s Hong Kong Speed Series triumphs of the last two seasons, or to switch targets to the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on April 25.
“I just think – if he’s racing like he trialled today – it would be just great for his legacy to be able to win a Group 1 mile,” Hayes added.
The Australian saddles two runners for Saturday’s (November 14) feature race, the Class 2 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1200m), one of whom holds an entry for the HK$36 million G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
Rubylot (135lb) returns to the track following six months sidelined through injury. Hayes said he is treating the race as a guide to gauge the six-year-old’s suitability for a run at the December showpiece.
“He’s had a suspensory ligament (injury), but he’s done the full rehab,” Hayes said.
“It’s to try and get him on the right leg to be a chance for the Internationals. The idea would be to run in this as a warm-up race, and then the (G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club) Mile (1600m).”
Rubylot will step back to 1200 metres for the first time since winning over the distance on September 28 2024, and will also be reunited with Brenton Avdulla, who has been in the plate for the last three of the gelding’s six career wins.
“He’s a funny horse,” Hayes said. “He’s won at every distance! I think fresh, he could surprise, but it would be a surprise.
“He’s a good, honest horse. But I just want to see him get through this and pull up well. This is a bonus if something happens.”
Hayes’ second runner is Tomodachi Kokoroe (133lb), who finished a disappointing eighth last time out in the G2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m). He’ll be partnered by the in-form Jerry Chau for the first time.
“Last time he had a horror run from the wide gate, but his form before that was well below his best,” Hayes said. “Trackwork suggests he’s okay, but I wanna see it in a race.
“We just thought we’d change (the jockey) and there’s no jockey hotter than Jerry at the moment.”
Saturday’s 11-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.30pm with the Class 4 (Restricted) Panasonic Water Dispenser Handicap (1200m).
