Ka Ying Rising Smashes Own Course Record In Centenary Sprint Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

At some point, the superlatives run dry.

Just two races after lowering the Sha Tin 1200-metre track record previously held by the outstanding Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) shaved another chunk off that mark when dominating from the front in Sunday's HK$13-million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup. It was a ninth win on the trot for the 4-year-old, his 10th in just 12 career starts and has his connections pondering exactly what 'heights' he may be able to achieve.

“It's the richest turf race in the world, it's at his distance, so it's getting more realistic every month we go on,” said trainer David Hayes, referring to the A$20-million G1 The Everest at Randwick Oct. 18. “We'll really start thinking about a pathway towards it after the international race here in April [G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize] and then after that, he'll probably just be set for the big sprint.”

When last seen in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 8, Ka Ying Rising became the first to win the race from barrier 11, but the victory was accomplished in more workmanlike fashion when compared to his record-breaking effort one start prior.

There would be no such monkey-ing around this time around, as Zac Purton kicked his mount straight into the lead from gate eight and immediately crossed down to the inside to make the running while going well in hand. Galloping through the opening 400 metres in :23.30–0.35 seconds inside of standard time–Ka Ying Rising tossed in his next 400m in a wicked :21.54, more than a half-second faster than par. Though he was geared down in the final 100 metres, he still covered his final two furlongs inside standard and the winning margin belied his total dominance.

“They went too slow in December and it allowed the horses to be too close, so today I made sure the man was going to take care of the boys,” said Purton, whose double on the program takes him to within two of breaking the all-time record of Douglas Whyte. “We've had a lot of champion sprinters grace our turf here and they've all had the chance to run the times, he's run. So, yeah, he's starting to become a really special horse.”

Hayes, who calls Ka Ying Rising 'probably the best horse I've ever had' and draws comparisons to Black Caviar (Aus), said the winner proceeds to the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 metres on Feb. 23.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CENTENARY SPRINT CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-19, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.20 (NCR), gd.
1–KA YING RISING (NZ), 126, g, 4, by Shamexpress (NZ)
1st Dam: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto
2nd Dam: Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm
3rd Dam: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire)
O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing; T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 12-10-2-0, HK$38,377,200. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Helios Express (Aus), 126, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Paris Texas (Aus), by Hinchinbrook (Aus). O-Andy Yung Ming Tai; B-C Wells (WA); T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman; HK$2,730,000.
3–Howdeepisyourlove (Aus), 126, g, 5, Deep Field (Aus)–My Shabella (Aus), by Haradasun (Aus). 1ST G1 BLACK-TYPE. (A$270,000 Ylg '21 INGFEB). O-Lo Profile Syndicate; B-P Sweeney (Qld); T-John Size; J-James McDonald; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, HF, NK. Odds: 15-100, 11-2, 17-1.
Also Ran: Invincible Sage (Aus), Lucky With You (Aus), Magic Control (Aus), Beauty Waves (Ire), Victor The Winner (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.

 

 

Voyage Bubble Successfully Defends Stewards' Cup

He may lack the rockstar quality of a horse like Ka Ying Rising, but make no mistake, Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) is all racehorse and maintained his current purple patch of form with a convincing defence of his title in the G1 Stewards' Cup.

The $1.80 (4-5) favourite to add to his latest success in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile six weeks ago, Voyage Bubble was one of the first to break the line for the Dubai-bound James McDonald, but he was content to take back into third as the California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), last year's G1 Al Quoz Sprint hero stretching back out to the mile, cut out the fractions from Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Tracking the latter into the final 600 metres, Voyage Bubble was eased out three deep on the swing for home, was sent into the lead with just under a quarter-mile to race and was never in danger as Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}) closed nicely for second.

“I reckon this is the best he's felt since I've ridden him,” said McDonald, who was set to depart Hong Kong on Sunday for Meydan, where he rides Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in Friday's G1 Jebel Hatta. “He strode around to the start with a real purpose and he's such an easy horse to read. He's superb. He's just bomb-proof, jumps fast, puts himself in a good position and quickens.”

With Romantic Warrior on his travels for the next couple of months, the path to the Feb. 23 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) becomes that much clearer, and trainer Ricky Yiu indicated that is next on the dance card for 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby victor Voyage Bubble. Success there could lead to a rare attempt at the older horse Triple Crown, ending with the 2400-metre G1 Champions and Chater Cup in May.

“We're going to give the Triple Crown a crack,” Yiu said. “Besides his Derby win, he was second to [Romantic Warrior] in the Gold Cup last year. That's a very good indication that he can go up to that distance no problem.

“We'll see a lot more from the second leg to see if he'll be able to get the 2400 [metres]. Over the 2400 there could be some overseas horses as well.”

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-19, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.58, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 6, by Deep Field (Aus)
1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy
2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth
(A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-James McDonald; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 23-9-6-3, HK$77,872,475. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Galaxy Patch (Aus), 126, g, 5, Wandjina (Aus)–Voltara (Aus), by More Than Ready. (A$50,000 Ylg '21 MMMAR). O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Summerset Park Stud (SA); T-Pierre Ng; J-Blake Shinn; HK$2,730,000.
3–Red Lion (Ire), 126, g, 6, Belardo (Ire)–Crystal Idea (Ire), by Namid (GB). (€7,000 Ylg '20 TATDEC; £240,000 RNA HRA '22 GOFLON). O-The Hon Ronald Arculli GBM GBS JP & Johanna K J Arculli BBS; B-P Harney; T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 2, 1, 1. Odds: 4-5, 11-5, 86-1.
Also Ran: Beauty Joy (Aus), Beauty Eternal (Aus), Chancheng Glory, Patch of Theta (Aus), California Spangle (Ire). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing.

 

The post Ka Ying Rising Smashes Own Course Record In Centenary Sprint Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article