Trainer David Hayes declared sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising “totally clear” after a minor injury scare ahead of Sunday’s season-opening HK$4.2 million G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap at Sha Tin.
The 6f (1200m) race has long been planned as a lead-up event for Ka Ying Rising. Hayes hopes to defend the horse’s AU$20 million G1 The Everest crown at Royal Randwick in Sydney on 17 October.
However, bruising on the champion sprinter’s left hind foot briefly raised concerns about his preparation.
“I think he kicked his concrete feed bin, and bruised his hind foot,” Hayes said.
“He was definitely sore on Monday. But Tuesday, Wednesday and today he’s been perfect. He’s had Doppler scans, CT scans and an X-ray, so he’s totally clear.”
Hayes still had some concerns before Thursday morning’s gallop. Those worries disappeared after Ka Ying Rising completed his work without any problems.
The world’s top-rated sprinter will start as the clear favourite on Sunday. He will also give the maximum 20 pounds to the other five runners in the six-horse field.
“If he wasn’t right, I wasn’t going to run him,” Hayes said.
“I was shattered on Monday morning, but I’m very happy today. This horse, I can assure punters, will be fine at the weekend.”
The focus now turns to Sunday’s contest at Sha Tin. Ka Ying Rising will attempt to win the race for a third consecutive year.
A victory would also extend his winning streak to 21 races. After Sunday, Hayes will turn his attention to The Everest.
Hayes remains confident about the six-year-old’s prospects. Ka Ying Rising completed an easy 400m gallop in 25.4 seconds on the Sha Tin dirt.
“He was really good. The riding boy certainly thought he was at the top of his game, so that’s always nice to hear,” Hayes said.
The two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer won the title in 1997/98 and 1998/99. He also believes his team has learned important lessons from last year’s preparation for The Everest.
Hayes wants Ka Ying Rising to reach his best form for the Sydney showdown. His plan starts with the pre-Everest trial.
“I probably had him too fresh going into that trial,” Hayes said.
“He got very stirred up with the big crowd all going to see him. I think this year he’ll have just a little bit more work, and he won’t be as fizzy.”
“Hopefully, he won’t have all the problems after the trial that we had with the perception that he was not right.”
Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising’s Everest performance did not reflect his true ability.
“Visually, (The Everest) was his worst performance of the season, but he still won by a length-and-a-half, and didn’t have the whip on him.”
“I think this year, hopefully, Australians can see him at his best, and we’re doing everything we possibly can to have him at his best,” he added.
Champion jockey Zac Purton also believes Ka Ying Rising has improved ahead of the new season.
“He’s a bigger, heavier, stronger horse now than what he was back then,” Purton said.
Purton noticed the horse’s physical development during his time in Australia. Ka Ying Rising continued to grow stronger as the season progressed.
The horse also added more size during his break in Conghua. Purton believes those improvements could help him enjoy another successful campaign.
“He does look like a much stronger horse, definitely than what he was 12 months ago, but even from what he was at the end of last season. He could go well for another good season, hopefully.”
Sunday’s 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 5:30am UK time. The Class 5 Glenealy Handicap over 6f (1200m) opens the card.
Richard Kingscote ready for South Korea challenge with Gorgeous Win
Richard Kingscote will add another country to his international riding resume on Sunday. The jockey will ride Danny Shum’s Gorgeous Win in the G3 Korea Sprint at Seoul.
The 6f (1200m) race takes place on sand. Kingscote will ride in South Korea for the first time.
The Epsom Derby-winning jockey has also won Group 1 races in Ireland. He has ridden in Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, France and Bahrain.
Kingscote completed his first full season based in Hong Kong in 2025/26.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s nice to be asked – it’s a place I’ve not been to ride yet, and I’ve been lucky to ride in a lot of places,” Kingscote said.
“The horse goes on the dirt here. It’s a different surface for him in South Korea, but he’s a nice, big powerful horse.”
Kingscote has completed some trackwork with Gorgeous Win. He feels the horse is in good shape ahead of the race.
“I’ve done a bit of trackwork with him – he’s very well within himself. He’ll come forward for that trial,” Kingscote said.
He also noted the impact of recent rain on the track during the horse’s trial.
“As we know with all of the rain here the track probably wasn’t to his liking that day, but he’s fresh.”
Kingscote has also watched videos of Gorgeous Win training in South Korea. The team remains happy with the horse’s condition.
“Fingers crossed for a solid run.”
Gorgeous Win faces several new challenges in the Korea Sprint. These include Seoul’s sandy surface, heavy kickback and racing left-handed.
“There’s lots of unknowns for a horse like him – he wouldn’t have travelled a great deal, he’s on a new surface and he’s racing in the opposite direction,” Kingscote said.
“But he’s a hardy horse and Danny obviously knows what it takes to travel a horse. He feels that he’s the sort of horse who can do it – it’s a nice opportunity,” he added.
READ NEXT: Premier League predictions: Arsenal vs Chelsea and more Gameweek 3 betting tips and predictions
