Ka Ying ‘hasn’t gone backwards’

[Wandering Eyes]

After returning to Hong Kong from a horrific trip back to Australia to fight the Longwood bushfire at his family’s property, the sight of Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) would have been a welcome one for David Hayes on Monday morning.

Hayes says Ka Ying Rising has the capabilities to be a champion miler given how well he breathes but will avoid that temptation and keep him to the sprint trips.

The world’s best sprinter galloped at Sha Tin on Monday morning as he prepares to have his first start for 2026 in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on January 25, where victory would see him equal Silent Witness’ 17-race winning streak.

“He blew the smoke away today, it was very nice,” Hayes said.

“He had a little easy gallop… he’s trialling on Thursday. It’s hard to say he’s improving but he hasn’t gone backwards, I can assure you.”

Following his assignment in the Centenary Sprint Cup in less than a fortnight, Ka Ying Rising will then head to the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m, a trip Hayes expects the five-year-old to be impressive over.

Overall, Ka Ying Rising is likely to follow an identical program to what he went through in 2025 and is already at $1.85 with Sportsbet to defend his title in The Everest in October.

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