Preparing to resume a relentless chase of Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong record for the most wins by a jockey, Zac Purton acknowledges the daunting historical challenge facing Ka Ying Rising in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (8 September).
“No horse has won this race as top weight,” Purton said. “So, it’s a big challenge. Obviously, it’s a race that suits those younger horses coming through that are progressive. Ka Ying Rising falls into that category but he has to carry top weight (135lb) and no horse has carried top weight and won this race. That tells you how big a task it is going to be for him.”
Since 1997, only two horses – The Duke in 2004 and Winners Way in 2018 – have carried 130lb and triumphed but neither carried the number one saddlecloth.
Resuming after a stellar debut season, crowned by five wins from seven starts and a rise from 52 in the ratings to 111, the four-year-old will concede weight to all nine rivals this weekend – Flying Ace (131lb), Lucky With You (127lb), Majestic Knight (127lb), Packing Treadmill (123lb), Beauty Charge (119lb), Superb Capitalist (118lb), Beauty Waves (115lb), Harmony N Blessed (115lb) and Baby Crystal (115lb).
Reinforcing the challenge facing the 2023/24 Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse are the most recent two editions of the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup. Lucky Sweynesse (2022) and Victor The Winner (2023) both carried 115lb to victory and proceeded to Group 1 wins in the same season.
Partnered by Purton, Lucky Sweynesse finished second in last year’s running under 135lb to Victor The Winner.