Focus shifts in Hong Kong as Ka Ying Rising goes for short break

[Wandering Eyes]

The Hong Kong International Races are officially in the rear-view mirror, and now the focus switches to the coming months when the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Triple Crown and Hong Kong Speed Series all commence.

Following Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) HK$28 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) blitz, David Hayes was beaming at Sha Tin on Tuesday, indicating the world’s best sprinter will now take a short break before the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) – the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series – on 25 January. 

“He’s pulled up really well. It was, probably visually, his best performance. I think his last two runs have been career peaks and let’s hope he keeps holding that form. He will go to Conghua now and have a nice month. He’ll be back in January,” Hayes said.

Hayes is eager to point Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) towards the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – on 1 February – which also comprises the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before concluding with the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March. 

The 83-rated colt has raced twice in Hong Kong. He has come within a half-length of winning both times, including his narrow third placing last Sunday in Class 2 over 1400m.

“I thought he ran really well. He just probably needs one more run at 1400 (metres). He is the stable’s premier Hong Kong Classic Mile horse,” Hayes said.  

Before the city’s best returns next month, Wednesday’s nine-race fixture at Happy Valley sees Hong Kong International Sale graduate Super Unicorn (NZ) (Savabeel) go for a hat-trick of wins in the Class 3 Sea Eagle Handicap (1650m) under Andrea Atzeni.

“He’s obviously improved. It’s done his confidence a lot of good getting his head in front a few starts ago. We thought going into his last run that he definitely had improved because his work at home was better going into the race. We knew we were up in class, but we weren’t overly surprised that he won the race,” Atzeni said. 

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