‘Terms race' needed for Ka Ying Rising to run in Hong Kong before The Everest: David Hayes
Trainer to push Jockey Club to put on a set-weights contest for his gun speedster early in the 2025-26 season
While the all-conquering Ka Ying Rising has April's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) in his immediate sights, trainer David Hayes has suggested the galloper is unlikely to race on home soil in the lead up to the mega-rich The Everest (1,200m) in October unless the Jockey Club puts on a suitable race for him.
After stringing together his 10th straight win with his third Group One success in Sunday's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m), Ka Ying Rising will look to complete a sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series with victory in the Chairman's Sprint Prize on April 27, while he may also line-up in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) on March 30.
Wins in those two races coupled with the HK$5 million Speed Series bonus would push Ka Ying Rising's prize money past HK$65 million even before connections turn their attention to the world's richest turf race – the A$20 million (HKD$99 million) The Everest in Sydney.
While Hayes has suggested Ka Ying Rising could embark on a multi-race Australian campaign, potentially also taking in the Group One Champions Sprint (1,200m) down the Flemington straight, he confirmed on Sunday that he won't be looking at racing his superstar Down Under before The Everest.
Instead, he wants the Jockey Club to consider putting on a special race at set weights early in the 2025-26 season.
GO ON, @KarisTeetan! 🔥
The Mauritian ace guides superstar Ka Ying Rising to a third Group 1 win in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin ahead of Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/sVEeLdIERx — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025
'I would love the club to consider putting a terms race on early in the season, not only because it would be great for Ka Ying [Rising], but because going forward I think Hong Kong sprinters will target The Everest because it's a logical race for them,' Hayes said after Ka Ying Rising's victory on Sunday.
'If they didn't put a terms race on I'd have to exhibition gallop him during one of the early meetings.'
While Ka Ying Rising won the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (1,200m) under top weight on the opening day of this season, Hayes isn't keen on the prospect of a potential gut buster under 135 pounds before popping his gun speedster on a flight to Australia.
At a time when the city's most decorated galloper, Romantic Warrior, is spending an extended stint in the Middle East and will race more times abroad than on home soil this season, the prospect of the world's best sprinter not racing in Hong Kong for the best part of eight months between the Chairman's Sprint Prize and December's Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) will surely not sit well with administrators.
While Hong Kong's programme is nothing if not cookie cutter and changes of any note are rare, Hayes' call should be seriously considered by officials.
If they do embrace the chance to innovate, Hong Kong racing fans could be in for a nice early-season treat.
No Al Quoz defence for Spangle
While Howdeepisyourlove and Sword Point are expected to join Romantic Warrior in Dubai, Tony Cruz has confirmed that California Spangle will not defend his Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) crown at Meydan in early April.
A fading sixth behind Ka Ying Rising in Sunday's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, Cruz said connections will meet regarding the three-time Group One winner's future.
'California Spangle won't be going to Dubai. The result wasn't so good and he's got a bit of wear and tear. I'll consult my owners and we'll see what our plans are,' said Cruz.
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen confirmed Sword Point will tackle the Group Two Godolphin Mile on dirt despite his last behind Voyage Bubble in the weekend's Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin.
'The dirt will be much better for him – he's just not as good on the turf,' said Lor.
Howdeepisyourlove will fly the Hong Kong flag in the Al Quoz Sprint after his impressive third behind Ka Ying Rising, while another of the city's entries for the race, Flying Ace, was retired last week.
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