Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
There are dominant sprinters - Then there is Ka Ying Rising
Hong Kong’s headline act and arguably the world's Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) delivered yet another statement performance on Sunday, extending his remarkable unbeaten sequence to 19 with a commanding victory in the G2 Sprint Cup over 1200 metres. In the process, he lowered his own Sha Tin benchmark, stopping the clock at 1:07.12 in a performance that blended control with raw speed.
With Zac Purton again in the saddle for David Hayes, the 5-year-old continues to operate in a league of his own. More telling than the margin or the time, however, is the sense of how easy he is breaking records.
“I think what we’re seeing now is who he is. It will be a bit unrealistic to think that he’s going to improve. I think the performance is right up there, for sure,” Purton told scmp.com.
Conditions at Sha Tin offered a mixed challenge - a tailwind down the straight aiding speed, offset by a testing headwind around the bend. Yet Ka Ying Rising made light work of both.
“It was exceptional when you look at the time and the ease he ran it, and the times they were running in the other races today. Down the straight with the tailwind – fast times – but around the bend they haven’t been that fast and he just did it with ease,” Hayes told scmp.com.
Ka Ying Rising winning the G2 Sprint Cup | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I think they must’ve gone pretty hard into the wind and then he popped out and took advantage of the tailwind. It was one of his easier wins but when they’re thirty-to-one on, they probably should win easily, but it’s not easy to do.”
Even a slightly slower break couldn’t disrupt the script. Purton allowed his mount to find rhythm just off the speed before easing into contention, brushing past the pace-making Stellar Express (Zoustar) at the 300m and quickly putting the race beyond doubt. Helios Express (Toronado {Ire}) was left chasing shadows, beaten by four-and-a-quarter lengths in another solid effort behind the Champion.
“I wasn’t out there to run time today. Of course, Stellar Express ran along and that set it up and I just got my horse into a lovely rhythm and he let down so beautifully. It’s the best he’s accelerated at the top of the straight,” Purton said.
Zac Purton with Ka Ying Rising after winning the G2 Sprint Cup | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Now unbeaten for just over two years, the son of Shamexpress (NZ) is eyeing further milestones. A defence of the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize looms later this month, before a potential return to Australia for The G1 The Everest in October - where potential new challengers await.
“Satono Reve ran amazing time in Japan the other day and won very easily, and he’s the best in Japan and he’s proven in Europe. The horses that have come here are no slouches and he’s really beaten them so well,” Hayes said.
“The Everest will be different opposition – there’s some very good young horses in Australia that we look forward to race - and they can come here for the international races.”
David Hayes after Ka Ying Rising won the G2 Sprint Cup | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Perhaps most ominous is that improvement hasn’t stalled, it has simply evolved.
“Just behind the gates and everything he does, he’s taking it in so well, and to saddle him up he’s a quieter horse. He’s just really maturing and it’s been a golden year this year, but I think that he’ll have another one next year,” Hayes said.
Hayes has no intention of tinkering with a winning formula.
“We’ll just keep on doing what we’re doing because it’s working so well. It’s not stressing our horse and we’re hoping to have him for another couple of seasons – especially one more at the top,” Hayes said.
Connections of Ka Ying Rising after winning the G2 Sprint Cup | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Reinvented and resilient: Lucky Sweynesse finds new life over the mile
Veteran sprinter now turned miler Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) turned back the clock at Sha Tin, proving that reinvention can extend greatness, stepping beyond his comfort zone to claim a deserved and hard-fought return to the winner’s stall.
Once the benchmark sprinter of Hong Kong, the now 7-year-old has carved out a new chapter, capturing the G2 Chairman’s Trophy over the mile distance after a bold and calculated shift in direction by his connections.
Trained by Manfred Man, the son of Sweynesse returned to winning form for the first time in two years, roughly the same time star sprinter Ka Ying Rising has stayed unbeaten, and fittingly on the same card where he last saluted at Group level.
With Ka Ying Rising dominating the sprint division and age beginning to factor, the decision was made to explore uncharted territory. A previous second to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) over the mile early this year hinted at untapped potential - and this time, everything aligned.
“He makes me feel surprised; when he was young, he was a real sprinter, but now as a seven-year-old he can go to the mile,” Man told scmp.com.
“He (Lucky Sweynesse) makes me feel surprised; when he was young, he was a real sprinter, but now as a seven-year-old he can go to the mile.” - Manfred Man
“It was the son of the owner [who suggested the distance switch] - he studies a lot and suggested to me that he would make the horse go to the mile.
“His last run when he went over a mile, the winner was Romantic Warrior. The horse is very fit and in this race, we are lucky to have two horses going in front and he stayed behind the leader. He ran very comfortably so the horse kept on really well.”
Lucky Sweynesse winning the G2 Chairman’s Trophy | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Ridden patiently by Derek Leung, Lucky Sweynesse travelled sweetly throughout, stalking the pace before asserting control approaching the straight. At the 400m, he made his move - and briefly looked like he was home no problems at all.
But racing rarely follows an ideal script.
A late surge from My Wish (Flying Artie) under Hugh Bowman turned the finish into a test of resolve. The margin shrank rapidly, and it took everything from both horse and rider to hold on.
“I have to thank the owner and the trainer for the opportunity, the horse has been really honest and only been beaten by the horse of the year,” Leung told scmp.com
“This time, he showed his ability again and although he won by a short margin, he ran a huge race.
“This time, he (Lucky Sweynesse) showed his ability again and although he won by a short margin, he ran a huge race.” - Derek Leung
“I was 50-50 (about winning the race), two strides before the line I could feel My Wish was coming strong so I just put our heads down and hoped; I didn’t know until I watched it back on the big screen afterwards.
“He has really deserved to win a race, he’s been honest every time he has run and he just kept being beaten by those two horses (Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising).”
Derek Leung with Lucky Sweynesse after winning the G2 Chairman’s Trophy | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The narrow victory, a short head - was enough to signal a successful transition, and perhaps more to come. Attention now turns to the Group One Champions Mile, where the veteran will again test himself against elite opposition.
“We have the Champions Mile to look forward to now – a lot will depend on which internationals come across and the draw we get,” Leung said.
“I’m sure if he runs like he did today, he would have a good chance.”
For Leung, the win also marked a personal milestone in a steadily building season.
Connections of Lucky Sweynesse after winning the G2 Chairman’s Trophy | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I was really looking forward to today and I have to thank all the owners and trainers who have supported me this season,” Leung added.
“This season, I’ve won a Group Two, a Group Three and run second in the Derby - I’m just always looking for the next one.”
Newnham’s double combined with heartbreak at Sha Tin
Racing can deliver its highest highs and lowest lows within a short time frame - and for Mark Newnham, Monday at Sha Tin was a stark reminder.
The Australian trainer strengthened his position in the premiership race with a winning double, courtesy of Thousand Spirit (Exceedance) and Aerodynamics (Saf) (Royal Mo {USA}). Yet the results were overshadowed by the tragic loss of Lucky Ranger (NZ) (Vanbrugh).
Mark Newnham | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
A progressive type on the rise, Lucky Ranger entered the Class Four Plunkett’s Handicap over 1400 metres as a very warm favourite and just when he looked to put the race to bed he unfortunately broke down passing the 250 metre mark.
Despite immediate veterinary attention, the injury to his left front leg proved significant, and the decision was made to humanely euthanise the gelding.
The incident had a ripple effect across the meeting. Jockey Luke Ferraris was unable to continue riding, with Lyle Hewitson stepping in and making an immediate impact.
Thousand Spirit capitalised, leading throughout to secure his first Hong Kong win in the Class Four Peel Handicap over 1200 metres holding off Riding High (Exceed And Excel) in determined fashion by half a length.
Later, Aerodynamics followed a similar script in the Class Three Homestead Handicap over 2000 metres, controlling the race from the front under Zac Purton to notch his breakthrough local success. The South African import had consistent form prior and deserved the break through.
For Newnham, the day ultimately reflected the fragile balance of the sport - where momentum and misfortune can sit side by side.
The premiership may be tightening in his favour, and a winning double on Easter Monday is significant, but the loss of a developing horse like Lucky Ranger ensures the moment is tempered with perspective.
