Latest news with #GroupOneHongKongSprint
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
David Hayes sounds ominous warning to Ka Ying Rising's rivals ahead of Chairman's Sprint Prize
In an ominous warning to Ka Ying Rising's rivals, David Hayes has declared the superstar sprinter is 'four or five lengths better' than in December ahead of Sunday's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. During his extraordinary rise to become the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising was at his most vulnerable in December's Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) when clinging on to a narrow triumph over Helios Express and Japan's Satono Reve. While Zac Purton argued the win was better than it looked after Ka Ying Rising jumped slowly and worked hard early from gate 11, it was the closest the son of Shamexpress has come to being beaten since the first of his 11 consecutive victories. Since that maiden elite-level success, Ka Ying Rising has returned to his explosive winning ways with dominant displays in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m), Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m). PERFECT tune-up for Ka Ying Rising! 🚀 David Hayes' sprinting superstar dazzles at Sha Tin this morning ahead of the Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton 📍 Sha Tin, 27 Apr | #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 17, 2025 'I think we're probably four or five lengths better than he was won he won the [Hong Kong Sprint] and I think his form proves that,' Hayes said. 'I was very bullish in December, but the whole team feels he's a better horse now than he was. It must be remembered that he is only four years old and I think he is going into his golden year next year.' Hayes and Purton identified Satono Reve as the main threat in Sunday's HK$22 million feature, with the Noriyuki Hori-trained sprinter fresh from his first Group One win in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo last start. Satono Reve was only three-quarters of a length behind Ka Ying Rising in December when storming home late under Joao Moreira, who again takes the ride on Sunday. 'The Japanese horse was incredibly impressive in Japan and I think he's the obvious danger. I've got a lot of respect for him. I might be a bit biased, but I think we've got him covered,' Hayes said. Hayes and Purton were delighted when Ka Ying Rising drew barrier four – his best draw since February last year. 'I don't want a slowly run race to the first corner where a heap of horses are all in a bunch and I want to try to split the field up a little bit,' Purton said. 'I'll be using his speed early and make the other horses work a little bit if they want to try and cross him.' Purton will be bidding for his third Chairman's Sprint Prize triumph after booting home Lucky Sweynesse in 2023 and Ivictory in 2018. 'He's in good order and is ready to go,' Purton said of Ka Ying Rising. 'He's a pleasure to do anything with and if you could order a horse, you would order him. He's got the best attitude, he goes home and he eats and he recovers and he does everything you want. 'He cruises so comfortably on that fast speed and then he can accelerate and put them away off the back of it. And then he just gaps his rivals when he is placed in that scenario.' Danon McKinley, Lugal and A Shin Fencer join Satono Reve in Japan's three-pronged attack on Ka Ying Rising, while Helios Express is expected to figure in the finish again after five seconds and a third behind the superstar from six runs this term.
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Joao Moreira happy to play spoiler as Satono Reve takes on Ka Ying Rising
'Magic Man' believes Japanese star can take it to 'outstanding' local speedster in Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) Joao Moreira is hoping Satono Reve can put up a big fight against 'outstanding' sprint star Ka Ying Rising in Sunday's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. Moreira, affectionately known as the 'Magic Man', will partner Japanese shipper Satono Reve in the HK$22 million feature on Champions' Day. Moreira and Satono Reve have already done battle with heavy favourite Ka Ying Rising, with the world's best sprinter coming out on top by three-quarters of a length in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) in December. Satono Reve has since returned to Japan, where he was an impressive winner of the Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo in March. Overturning the deficit will be no easy task, but Moreira has plenty of faith that Noriyuki Hori's six-year-old will put up another game performance. Satono Reve ran out the winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in Japan earlier this morning! 🇯🇵 Namura Clair was close behind, finishing second for the third consecutive year!@netkeiba | #競馬 | #高松宮記念 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 30, 2025 'It was an impressive win in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen,' said Moreira. 'He will need to improve a little bit on his form from back in December as this is very competitive, but I think he has done that already. 'I sat on him on Thursday morning and had a good look with him. I can't see a reason he won't perform. 'I think just having time for this horse to mature and have the experience could make the difference, but it's very hard to beat Ka Ying Rising. 'He's one of the best sprinters in the world and wherever he goes he has to be respected. I've been away but I've been watching the races here and we can see he's been outstanding – he deserves all our respect. 'It's going to be hard to go past him, but I still have to have faith in my horse. He's a good horse and I hope we can put on a good show.' Ka Ying Rising bags his first Group 1! 🔥 David Hayes' speedster captures the @LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint with @zpurton ahead of Helios Express and Satono Reve...#LoveRacing | #HKIR | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024 Moreira has been a fan favourite in Hong Kong down the years, but he would go down as a bit of a villain if Satono Reve lowered the colours of Ka Ying Rising. That's a role that Moreira doesn't mind, however, as long as it's a fair fight. 'I definitely don't mind being the party pooper,' said Moreira. 'At the end of the day I respect the people and the horse. He deserves all the credit he has been getting and he has been amazing for Hong Kong and the sport. 'But it's the job of the other jockeys who aren't riding him to try and beat him. I'll try to do it in a fair way and the best horse wins on the day.' Trainer Hori has enjoyed plenty of success in Hong Kong with a handful of runners, winning a trio of elite-level races with Maurice and the 2017 Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) with Neorealism. Moreira has a huge amount of respect for the 57-year-old, who certainly isn't afraid to send his horses abroad for the big occasion. 'Hori is very intelligent,' said Moreira. 'He knows where to place his horses well. He's been getting good support from good owners in Japan and isn't scared to travel. 'I think [Satono Reve's] win last time was better form than what he showed in December. It's quite surprising for a horse to peak at the age of six and is a great piece of training.' Moreira has ridden plenty of great sprinters down the years, but there is one that sticks out in his mind as the best he's ridden so far. 'Beat The Clock has to be the best sprinter I've ridden,' Moreira said of the John Size-trained speedster. 'He won four Group One races, including the Chairman's Sprint, but he was a difficult horse to ride. 'It took me a long time to learn about him and really know how to get the best out of him. When we actually understood him, he was always delivering and I have some great memories about that guy.'
