Zac Purton believes Ka Ying Rising has taken another crucial step forward this morning (Tuesday, 9 December) in his preparation for Sunday’s (14 December) HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.

Successful in his past 15 races, Ka Ying Rising is aiming to join Golden Sixty by securing a 16th consecutive win, one shy of Silent Witness’ all-time Hong Kong record of 17. Emerging at sunrise, Ka Ying Rising – under the hands of Purton – trotted a few laps in the sand ring before making his way to the main dirt course.

In front of a scrum of local and international media huddled at the trainers’ stand, Ka Ying Rising was his usual unproblematic self, untested by Purton; he coasted along in a manner that highlighted the 2024/25 Hong Kong Horse of the Year’s readiness. 

“He was a lot more relaxed this morning. He came out into the trotting ring and, for once in a long time, he actually did trot around there. Normally, you can’t get him to trot, he wants to hack around and play up a little bit, but he went around there nicely and did the same thing on the track,” Purton said.

“He was a little bit aggressive in his grass gallop the other week, but now that he’s had the blow-out, he’s chilled and he’s a different horse this week, which is good.”

The Shamexpress gelding, who also captured last season’s three-race HK$5 million Hong Kong Speed Series bonus as part of his undefeated campaign, clocked 23.2s for 400m. 

Australian Racing Hall of Famer Purton has the most wins for a jockey in Hong Kong racing history (1,923), and the 42-year-old has been associated with some of its greatest champions before Ka Ying Rising, including juggernaut miler Beauty Generation.

“I’ve been very lucky and to think that the best one (Ka Ying Rising) of the lot has come along now. I certainly appreciate it, and he’s such a lovely horse to work with as well, which makes it even more enjoyable. You’ve got to pinch yourself, really,” Purton said.

“Beauty Generation was hard to handle. He knew he was big; he knew he was strong, and he was aggressive. He injured his mafoos, I think that tells you what type of horse he was, but he put that aggression into his racing, which is what I liked about him.”

The bull-headed Beauty Generation regularly took swipes at his mafoo and work rider, who were on guard at all times, as opposed to Ka Ying Rising, who has sometimes been nervous pre-race, but generally holds his composure until it’s time for competition.

Purton said: “He’s just a gem, this guy. It’s just another race and we’re trying to win it, whatever happens beyond that happens. He’s built up a good record and hopefully we can keep it that way.”

Ka Ying Rising broke from barrier 11 in last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while recently he stepped from gate 10 when winning the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on 23 November by close to three lengths.

“It depends what the other speed horses around me draw. I’d like to draw lower than higher. He hasn’t had the best run with barriers in some of these races, so he’s due to get a nice good one,” Purton said.