Ka Ying Rising on target for G1 Centenary Sprint Cup after Sha Tin trial win

[Wandering Eyes]

David Hayes is confident Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) is primed to continue his barnstorming form in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 19 January after the star sprinter dominated a 1200m trial at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 9 January).

 Partnered by regular rider Zac Purton, the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) victor sat three-wide early before coasting to the lead and was untroubled in beating G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) winner Voyage Bubble by three quarters of length in 1m 10.43s.

 The pair cleared out from the rest of the nine-horse trial with Lady’s Choice third, almost eight lengths away, with Helios Express and Galaxy Patch finishing fifth and seventh, respectively.

 Confirming plans to chase the HK$5 million bonus on offer for the winner of the Hong Kong Speed Series – the Centenary Sprint Cup, G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February and the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April – Hayes was delighted with today’s hit-out.

 “We’re very happy with the trial. He was a little bit fresh before the trial, so this will just settle him down for next week and you couldn’t have asked for more, could you? It was a beautiful trial,” Hayes said.

 “Zac didn’t move on him and he went through the motions very well with big margins to third and fourth. It was pretty good.”

Seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey Purton was also impressed with the trial as Ka Ying Rising bids to extend an eight-race winning streak.

 “With the time between runs, he always gets a little bit fresh and when he’s fresh, that’s when he gets a bit agitated,” Purton said. “So, the trial’s always nice to knock the edge off him a bit and on race day, he’s settled his nerves.”

 John Size was satisfied with Helios Express, who will challenge Ka Ying Rising in the Centenary Sprint Cup after finishing only half a length behind the 128-rater in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint on 8 December.

 “He trialled the way he normally does, he just sort of goes through the motions and he’s probably not a good trialler on the dirt track, but he just does his work and that’s all we really expect from him,” said Size, who has also entered Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) winner Howdeepisyourlove in next week’s feature.

Size be represented by Beauty Eternal and Red Lion in HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on 19 January, hopeful the duo can topple Voyage Bubble after finishing fourth and eighth, respectively, behind Ricky Yiu’s 128-rater in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

 Beauty Eternal finished third, beaten only half a length, behind Find My Love in today’s second 1200m batch.

 “He looked like he did his work properly, he seems in pretty good order, he’s pretty relaxed and I think he seems to be going on with his preparation quite normally,” Size said.

 Purton added: “He’s moving well and trialling well. We just need him to take his trials to the races. We know he’s got the ability when he produces it, we’re just waiting for him to do it at the moment. But I do feel like he keeps heading in the right way, just that little bit every time.”

 Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January) with the Class 5 Wu Kai Sha Handicap (1200m, dirt) at 1pm.

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