Ka Ying Rising Has Centenary Sprint Cup At His Mercy

[Wandering Eyes]

The world's highest rated sprinter on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings in 2025, Ka Ying Rising will race for history in Sunday's G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin.

A winner of 16 straight starts dating back to February 12, 2024, the son of Shamexpress will attempt to equal Silent Witness's record of 17 victories in a row for a Hong Kong-trained horse. The gelding was named Timeform Horse of the Year for 2025 just last week, as well as the joint second-best horse in the 2025 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. The David Hayes trainee's record stands at 17 wins from 19 starts, and Hayes is confident his charge can make it 17 wins on the bounce. Ka Ying Rising will leave from stall four with Zac Purton at the controls in an effort to win his second edition of the race.

“Last start was probably his best win and he seems no worse and what's so special about him is that he just keeps putting up consistent ratings that are exceptional. Everything tells me that he's the same,” Hayes said of the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year.

“I would say [his form is]] very similar. It's hard to say better, isn't it?”

Hayes also runs Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon) in the event and said, “Tomodachi Kokoroe needs to improve. He was fantastic until he got up to the upper class and then when he got into the Group 1s, he struggled. But he's healthy and well and I'm hoping he can run a place.”

John Size will saddle Raging Blizzard (Per Incanto), who was second to Ka Ying Rising in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint in December, as well as Helios Express (Toronado), who was fifth in that race.

“I don't think there's much between them at this stage of their careers; it just depends on the circumstances of the race, the tempo and the track conditions of the day to split them,” said the 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer.

“Raging Blizzard ran a big race on international day to finish second and Helios Express has been consistent, too.”

  Romantic Warrior Returns In Stewards' Cup

Former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior stayed in Hong Kong this winter and will be making his first start of the new year in the 1600-metre G1 Stewards' Cup. Successful in the G1 Jebel Hatta last term, he ran second in both the G1 Saudi Cup and the G1 Dubai Turf in February and March. Back on top when taking his third G2 Boshk Jockey Club Cup in November, his victory in December's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup was his fifth edition of the race. He will leave from stall seven in the nine-horse race.

A winner of the Hong Kong Triple Crown during the 2024/2025 season, Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) will leave from barrier six. He is hunting his third Stewards' Cup title.

Taking on the big two is John Size's G1 FWD Champions Mile winner Red Lion. Slated for stall one under Hugh Bowman, the son of Belardo ran third to Voyage Bubble and Soul Rush (Rulership) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December.

“You never know what can happen on a racetrack and that's how we live but, as we know, he's beaten the great horse [Voyage Bubble] once and that was a good example that on any given day, something can work in your favour,” Size said.

“His run on international day was near his best and he's fit and well.”

Said Size of his runners across both Group 1s, “I can't ask for anything more from them in their preparation, but you also can't expect too much when you're racing three champions like Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior. It could all go according to plan, or there could be an upset – you never know until they cross the line.”

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