Zac Purton believes Ka Ying Rising is stronger and more mature as the world’s highest-rated sprinter bids for a 13th consecutive win when he resumes in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 September).
Attempting to become the first horse to win the opening-day feature twice, Ka Ying Rising will use the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup as a launch pad to the AU$20 million (approx. HK$100.34 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on 18 October.
Hong Kong’s reigning Horse Of The Year will carry 135lb – the same impost he shouldered last season when he burst to a weight-carrying record in the race – against Lucky Sweynesse (126lb), Lucky With You (116lb) and Beauty Waves, Victor The Winner, Copartner Prance, Raging Blizzard, Magic Control, Bottomuptogether, Divano, Gorgeous Win and Harmony N Blessed, who have all been assigned 115lb.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he comes back because I believe he’s a bit stronger, he’s a bit bigger, he’s a bit more mature and I’m just hoping he can take another step – he doesn’t need to, but if he does, that puts him in a pretty elite category,” eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey Purton said.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal that he has to carry the grandstand against good horses – and they are good horses – and give 20 pounds of weight to most of them and unfortunately there are seven established leaders in the race, so there’s going to be a lot of pressure.”