Sunday’s (25 January) HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin looms as a potential factor in deciding the future campaign of Fast Network, who clashes again with the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising in the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

Third behind Ka Ying Rising in last month’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Dennis Yip-trained Fast Network has been entered for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on 28 March in Dubai, along with Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse.

“We will decide after his run this Sunday,” Yip said. “In fact, we haven’t received an invitation yet and therefore our focus will be on the Centenary Sprint Cup first.”

Yip expects Fast Network will have another forward showing this Sunday. After his gallant third in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, Fast Network has spent most of his time in Conghua, where the Wrote gelding passed the post first in a recent barrier trial.

“He likes Conghua a lot,” Yip said. “All along he had been taken care of very well by my assistant. This horse doesn’t need a lot of work. All I needed to do was give him an easy trial and he would be very happy. He has been kept fresh in Conghua and is ready for another challenge with Ka Ying Rising.”

Yip mentioned that Fast Network is the type of horse who is better suited to tactics of racing mid-field and sprinting in the home straight, but could possibly race closer to the pace from a good draw.

Fast Network has drawn gate two, while Ka Ying Rising will start from gate four.

“James (McDonald) mentioned last time that we have to be in striking distance if we want to beat Ka Ying Rising,” Yip said. “With a relatively small field of seven runners this time, we can stay handy if he starts from an inside barrier. Of course, Ka Ying Rising will still be hard to beat but we will try our best.”

Yip did not rule out other potential overseas races for Fast Network in the future.

“If he is invited and runs well in Dubai, I definitely will consider more overseas options. After all, Ka Ying Rising is still young and is in a class of his own. Going international will give us more opportunities, as in my eyes Fast Network is a really good sprinter,” Yip said.

This year’s Centenary Sprint Cup field also includes Helios Express (gate one), Raging Blizzard (five), Tomodachi Kokoroe (three), Beauty Waves (six) and Lucky With You (seven).

Sunday’s Group 1 double-header also includes the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup, the first leg of the Triple Crown, when Romantic Warrior will clash with Voyage Bubble, plus last year’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victor My Wish.

Sunday’s (25 January) meeting at Sha Tin begins at 12.30pm with the Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap (1000m).