Ka Ying Rising ready for new challenge: ‘the positive is he's a bit of a freak'
Elite speedster must overcome another wide barrier when stepping up to 1,400m in Sunday's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup
by Sam Agars on Thursday, February 20, 2025 3:01 PM David Hayes with a spring in his step after Ka Ying Rising's Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) win last month. Photo: Kenneth Chan
David Hayes is confident the 1,400m of Sunday's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup will present Ka Ying Rising with the perfect opportunity to 'really put his acceleration on show' despite the gun speedster again drawing wide.
Lumped with barrier nine of nine for Sunday's HK$13 million feature, Ka Ying Rising will jump from gate eight or wider for the fifth consecutive time.
'He hasn't drawn a decent barrier for a while – it's an incredible run of bad barriers,' said Hayes.
'He's got a couple of questions marks – the wide barrier, he's never been seen at the distance and a new jockey, albeit a new jockey who's won on him. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 19, 2025
'I would have loved a more inside draw but that's the way it is and he's got a bit more time to the first bend at the 1,400m.
'The biggest positive is he's a bit of a freak and he overcomes things.'
After 10 wins from 12 starts at six furlongs to begin his career, including his past nine victories on the trot, Ka Ying Rising will tackle 1,400m for the first time and Hayes expects jockey Karis Teetan to keep things simple aboard the horse many consider the best sprinter in the world.
'He'll certainly be going forward and he stays out of trouble, which is good because sometimes when you've got an odds-on pop getting boxed in is a problem, but you wouldn't expect him to get boxed in,' said Hayes.
'He'll either be right up with the speed horses or just in behind them.
'Without him having run over 1,400m, I'm really confident. I think he can really put his acceleration on show. I think it's the ideal distance for him, to be honest.'
Teetan, who partnered Ka Ying Rising to his first success in open company in last June's Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m), steps in for the injured Zac Purton.
The Mauritian travelled to Conghua to pilot Ka Ying Rising in a trial victory last week and was on his back again at Sha Tin on Wednesday morning.
'Karis was very happy with him on Wednesday and he was extremely happy with him in the trial,' said Hayes, who sits atop the trainers' premiership with 31 wins.
'He's come down from China well and he's been eating very well, so everything is normal. He's in top shape. His build up is as good as it's ever been and I'm really happy.'
Among those standing between Ka Ying Rising and a Group One hat-trick are the three horses who got closest to him in last month's Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) – Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove and Invincible Sage.
He also faces California Spangle, Beauty Eternal, Red Lion and Patch Of Theta, who step back in trip after running behind Voyage Bubble in the Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m), and the returning Mugen.
Looking ahead, Hayes confirmed DBS x Manulife Million Challenge leader Soleil Fighter will back up at the Valley next week after his fast-finishing third behind Hameron on Wednesday night.
'He's the leader of it and he'll be nominated for sure because we really want to win it for the owner,' Hayes said.
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