It’s easy to see why trainer David Hayes is excited about Ka Ying Rising, the sprinting sensation who was last season crowned Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse.
Returning in Sunday’s (8 September) HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin, the four-year-old begins a campaign that Hayes hopes encompasses a HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) tilt.
“The plan is for his fourth race to be the Hong Kong Sprint. After this (Sunday), he’ll have two more ‘prep’ races. I didn’t want to wait to bring him back in those races because I stopped him early last season. He’s had a nice break and he needs to get racing,” Hayes said.
The HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) and HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) shape as potential second and third runs.
The five-time winning Ka Ying Rising closed his debut campaign with a smart victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) under a featherweight impost (115lb), while on Sunday he carries 135lb as the highest rated runner in the race.