The world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising put in yet another remarkable performance when landing the Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday. Despite not all that extended under Zac Purton, he again broke the track record to fend off Satono Reve.
The five-year-old appears to be getting better, having won the race for the second time by a wider distance. His penultimate effort backed that up, as he won the Sprint Cup a length more than he did last season.
Trainer David Hayes has adopted the ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it mentality’ as he stated he’ll be given a break. Ka Ying Rising’s big target will be to defend his Everest crown in October. However, British racing could look forward to the possibility of seeing Ka Ying Rising at Royal Ascot next season.
The fickle section of racing fans will dampen his dominance suggesting he’s only beating the same horses, but a line through Satono Reve would suggest he could blow apart the British sprinters.
“For me to train a Royal Ascot winner would be wonderful” – David Hayes
Speaking to the Press Association after the race, via At The Races, David Hayes said: “You tend to worry that you are going to let everyone down. He doesn’t, does he? In the Year of the Horse, he is now one of the all-time greats, I think. The way he is running times and rating so incredibly well.
“A long time ago I thought he might have been the best horse I trained. About a year ago I thought he was definitely the best horse I trained. Now I think he is one of the best horses I have ever seen.
“We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, but we’re definitely doing The Everest again. And for me to train a winner at Royal Ascot would be wonderful.
“If it’s right it’s possible, because he’s done it all here now. I’d just like to showcase him around the world, maybe as a six-year-old or a seven-year-old.”
Romantic Warrior records a fourth FWD QEII Cup
Elsewhere at Sha Tin, the great Romantic Warrior showed no signs of stopping despite his advancing years. The eight-year-old Acclamation gelding swooped clear of the field late on under James McDonald for a 23rd success.
It was a deep enough renewal, as the second was only beaten a head by Calandagan last time out. Arc third and last time out Group 1 winner Sosie filled that spot again, with Neom Turf Cup winner Royal Champion in fourth.