Zac Purton has declared Ka Ying Rising’s outstanding win in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 September) the equal-best of the champion sprinter’s stunning career.

Extending his unbeaten streak to 13 wins, Ka Ying Rising brushed aside quality opposition under 135lb to triumph in 1m 07.63s – marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s – despite being eased down by Purton as the gelding swept to his 14th win in 16 starts for David Hayes.

The world’s top-rated sprinter will enter quarantine tonight in preparation for a tilt at the AU$20 million (approx. HK$100.34 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on 18 October after easing to a two-and-a-quarter length victory over fellow four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse (126lb) and Divano (113lb).

“To carry that weight against those horses at that speed first-up and do what he did, it’s probably the equal of any performance he’s put up, I think,” Purton said as the eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey advanced to a five-timer.

“He’s come back in really good order. I said to David before the race that he just looks a different horse. He’s furnished really nicely and that’s what we wanted before we get on the plane and go down to Sydney.

After starting brilliantly from barrier four in steady rain, Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year settled second behind Bottomuptogether (115lb), who surged from the 800m to the 400m in 21.33s to string out the field, ultimately playing into Purton’s hands.

“It went fairly smoothly. If I could have had that run pre-race, I would have taken it,” Purton said.

“We got into a nice spot and Beauty Waves on my inside got fired up a little bit and got keen and Alexis (Badel) was looking to edge out, so I just felt my horse back on the bit and travelling, thinking about it.

“But then Bottomsuptogether went and it had my bloke having to chase him midrace, which was not what I wanted. I wanted to have him travelling within himself but what it did – because he’d used a bit more energy midrace – he actually changed his leg for the first time in a long time when he came into the straight. Hopefully it’s taught him something.

“When he did that, I thought ‘Game over’ and away he went.”

After equalling the weight-carrying record he set last season in the same race, Ka Ying Rising is the first horse to win the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup twice.

Hayes said: “We’ve been saying privately that we think he’s better than last year and I think that showed – the time he ran, the way he did it, the weight he carried. He’s bigger and stronger and probably better.

“He’s always physically been a backward-looking horse and now I think he looks like a complete sprinter. So, yeah, he’s the best I’ve had.

“The worry with this ‘prep’ was running with 135 (lb) at the start, but I didn’t want to go six months between runs, first-up in an Everest. Now I know we’ve got him there, we just maintain him and he holds form for a long time this horse. That’s why he’s a champion.

“He’s a pretty good traveller and I’m very confident travelling him.”

Sidelined since February with serious injuries after a race accident, Vincent Ho made a triumphant return on The Heir in the Class 4 Mount Parker Handicap (1400m) for Caspar Fownes.

“It feels great after a long period of time, seven months and coming back is not easy,” Ho said. “Caspar always supports me and I’m really grateful that he always sticks with me and he always has my back.

“When Caspar knew I was coming back, he has supported me which is great. Everyone has helped me in these seven months – my family, the medical team, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the CEO (Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges) gave his patience and support, the physios, my coach, all the sports pyschologists.

“It tastes a lot sweeter to have a winner like this after the last seven months – all the hard work pays off.”

Michael Chang made a superb start to the new season, combining with Derek Leung to win the Class 5 Grassy Hill Handicap (1200m) with veteran You’remyeverything before completing a race-to-race double with Purton aboard Perfect Peach in the Kowloon Peak Handicap (1600m).

Purton’s five-timer also included Manfred Man’s Super Strong Kid in the Class 4 Lin Fa Shan Handicap (1000m), Jamie Richards-trained pair Groovy Feeling in the second section of the Class 4 Ma On Shan Handicap (1200m) and the progressive Bulb General in the Class 3 Lantau Peak Handicap (1200m).

John Size and Brenton Avdulla teamed with Spicy Standard in the first section of the Class 4 Ma On Shan Handicap (1200m), Hong Kong International Sale graduate Markwin returned in style with success in the Class 2 Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1400m) for Cody Mo and Harry Bentley before Beauty Crescent clinched the Class 3 Sunset Peak Handicap (1400m) for Tony Cruz and Angus Chung.

Hong Kong racing continues on Wednesday night (10 September) with Happy Valley’s season-opening meeting.