KA YING RISING IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN. THE EVEREST FAVOURITE STROLLS TO VICTORY AT SHA TIN

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, April 27, 2025

The Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Group 1 level with HK$22 million on offer was a one act affair with the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising trained by David Hayes and ridden by the record-breaking champion rider Zac Purton destroying the international and local opposition.

In the process, Ka Ying Rising set some new Hong Kong racing history.

Ka Ying Rising became the shortest priced favourite in the history of the race since Lucky Sweynesse won in 2023.

In winning the race Ka Ying Rising landed connections a further HK$5 million in bonuses for winning the Speed Series for 2025 – this was the third leg of the series. He now has earned HK$60 million in stakes.

Trainer David Hayes was left almost speechless – but did say enough to put this magnificent win in perspective … both now and moving forward.

“It’s a good effort to do the Triple Crown and he is only four, so I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons. Said Hayes.

Ka Ying Rising also equalled the greatest number of wins in a Hong Kong season – eight victories. This equals the feats of the Champion HK miler Beauty Generation and the amazing sprinter Lucky Sweynesse.

I have seen this amazing four-year-old gelding win on two occasions. He just can run. His galloping style is unique, and he glides across the turf – a true delight to watch.

In winning the race in a time of 1:07:88 he gave Zac Purton his third win in the Chairman's Prize Sprint. Purton continues to create hist,ory in Hong Kong racing.

After the race Purton was full of praise in the win of Ka Ying Rising saying,

“What more can you say? Every time you come out here, he produces something special and he did that again today and he didn't even change his leg,” said Purton.

“He puts them away very quickly. I applaud the Japanese. They're willing to travel and willing to take anyone around the world on, so you've got to give them credit for doing that, but they were only second fiddle against him today. He's getting better and better. He can have a break now and the next one is the big one.”

Purton offered an assessment of the race saying: “The race panned out really well. He began well and I was able to just pop him into a lovely spot with the way the race was unfolding. I just kept it uncomplicated and let him do his thing. Once again, he was brilliant.

“He's had a long season. He's been exceptional all the way through and it's a good way to finish it off. He did what he had to do. The track has got a little bit of give in it today, so he's not going to run any faster if people are looking at the clock, but he's run a lot quicker than the other horses today.”

Trainer David Hayes described the efforts of Purton as masterful.

“It was a great ride by Zac,” said Hayes. He took the sit and didn’t want to get pocketed and went a bit early, but when you’re on a ($1.05 chance), I think you take the luck out of it.

“I can’t wait to watch the replay. It’s all a bit of a blur now. He had a perfect prep and a perfect season. It’s just nice nothing went wrong. Zac said if they were going slow, he would lead and if they go too fast, he’ll follow. They broke 1:08, I think that’s about the fifth time he’s done that.”

Now the next test is on the world stage.

The plan is to travel the Hong Kong superstar to Randwick later in the year for the 2025 Everest and then, depending on the requirements of the VRC vet protocols,to race him in the Champions Sprint at Flemington. Then all being well he will contest again the LONGINES HKIR in December on his home track looking for consecutive wins in that race.

With the prizemoney being so poor in other racing jurisdictions there are only limited opportunities to travel to the Hong Kong champion. Racing on a dirt surface has not been ruled out with the stable and jockey extremely confident that he performs better on the dirt.

But, in the immediate future Ka Ying Rising will be sent for a well-earned spell at Conghua.

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