Ka Ying Rising is even better than last year according to his trainer David Hayes after launching his spring in dominant fashion.
The world’s best sprinter extended his unbeaten streak to 13 and set the stage for a crack at The Everest next month.
The David Hayes-trained superstar won Sunday’s HK$3.72m HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin, stopping the clock in 1m 07.63s, which is just shy of his own track record.
He becomes the first horse to win the feature twice, cruising home two-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Lucky Sweynesse and Divano.
WHAT A FREAK!
Ka Ying Rising returns in dominant fashion, winning the Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin!
Bring on the @tabcomau Everest! 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/Mb1lOgmGsR
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2025
Champion jockey Zac Purton said the effort was among the best of the gelding’s career.
“To carry that weight against those horses first-up, it’s probably the equal of any performance he’s put up,” Purton said. “He’s bigger, stronger, more mature, and that’s what we wanted before heading to Sydney.”
Ka Ying Rising will now enter quarantine ahead of the AU$20m G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 18.
Hayes, who has trained champions in Australia, Hong Kong and Europe, believes the gelding has improved again.
“We’ve been saying privately we think he’s better than last year and I think that showed,” Hayes said. “The time, the way he did it, the weight he carried, he looks like the complete sprinter now.”
Purton, who brought the gelding across from barrier four in steady rain, said once he balanced up it was over.
“When he changed legs in the straight, I thought ‘game over’ and away he went,” he said. “He holds form for a long time, and that’s why he’s a champion. Now it’s all about keeping him there for The Everest.”
