Ka Ying Rising took another confident step towards the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) as he dashed well clear of a batch of top-class operators in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday (14 November).

The world’s top-rated sprinter broke well and ran keenly before surging down the 1200m dirt straight in a brisk 1m 10.19s under regular rider Zac Purton. The run provided a final tune-up before the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 23 November.

It was a commanding display from the five-year-old, who has won 14 consecutive races. Ominously for rivals targeting his HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) crown on 14 December, handler David Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since conquering the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) in October.

“It was an upper-class trial with some of Hong Kong’s best horses and he did what he does,” Hayes said.

“A lot of horses … who have had these international trips come back better if they’ve handled it well. I think he has, and I’m actually confident that the trip has brought him on.”

The outing was the five-time Group 1-winner’s first trial since his return from Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, where he confirmed his credentials as racing’s best sprinter with a convincing win in the world’s most valuable turf race. Purton said his enthusiasm was obvious.

“He’s very fresh. He’s very eager to get on with things – he’s probably going 10 per cent keen,” the 42-year-old said. “He trialled well, so that’ll take the stuffing out of him a little bit and he can relax now until race day.”

As the Hong Kong season reaches a crucial phase, Purton holds a 20-win lead over nearest challenger Luke Ferraris in the jockey’s championship. The eight-time champion jockey said the end-of-year period in Hong Kong racing – when new faces enter the jockeys’ room ahead of the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship and the LONGINES HKIR – provides a challenge each season.

“It’s always good to have (the world’s best riders) here. I always learn something when I’m riding with them and watching them more closely,” Purton added. “We’ve been riding against each other for a number of years now so it’s good to catch up with them. Obviously, we have the rivalry on the track, but off the track, we all get along very well.”

At Saturday’s (15 November) Sha Tin meeting, Purton has a full book of 10 rides and a leading chance is the Manfred Man-trained Patch Of Stars (124lb) in the card’s feature contest, the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1200m).

The four-year-old All Too Hard gelding is a last-start course and distance winner but steps up in class for that half-length victory, his fourth from 11 Hong Kong outings.

The tough assignment became more difficult when he was handed barrier nine on his Class 2 debut.

“It’s a little bit awkward because tactically he’s a tricky horse,” Purton said. “You can’t hustle him to get a position and then expect him to relax; he needs to float into a position. So it’s an awkward gate for him.”

Saturday’s (15 November) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 1pm with the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap (1200m).