David Hayes is confident Ka Ying Rising is primed to continue his barnstorming form in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 19 January after the star sprinter dominated a 1200m trial at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 9 January).
Partnered by regular rider Zac Purton, the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) victor sat three-wide early before coasting to the lead and was untroubled in beating G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) winner Voyage Bubble by three quarters of length in 1m 10.43s.
The pair cleared out from the rest of the nine-horse trial with Lady’s Choice third, almost eight lengths away, with Helios Express and Galaxy Patch finishing fifth and seventh, respectively.
Confirming plans to chase the HK$5 million bonus on offer for the winner of the Hong Kong Speed Series – the Centenary Sprint Cup, G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February and the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April – Hayes was delighted with today’s hit-out.
“We’re very happy with the trial. He was a little bit fresh before the trial, so this will just settle him down for next week and you couldn’t have asked for more, could you? It was a beautiful trial,” Hayes said.
“Zac didn’t move on him and he went through the motions very well with big margins to third and fourth. It was pretty good.”