Latest news with #Queen'sSilverJubileeCup
South China Morning Post
29-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni's hopes spring Eternal in Chairman's Trophy bid
Andrea Atzeni is optimistic Beauty Eternal strikes a winnable assignment when the Group One victor chases his first success in almost 12 months at Sha Tin on Sunday. Buoyed by the John Size-trained gelding's fast-finishing fourth last start, Atzeni has high hopes for Beauty Eternal in the Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m). The Italian jockey rode Beauty Eternal for the first time under race conditions in last month's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m), in which the son of Starspangledbanner jumped only fairly but ran on well late to be beaten two lengths by superstar Ka Ying Rising. He steps back up to his preferred distance, at which he won the Group One Champions Mile in April last year under champion jockey Zac Purton. 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 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 'I thought his last run was good,' Atzeni said. 'He was a bit sluggish early but he finished off quite nicely. 'Up in distance again will really suit him and with a good draw and a clean break, hopefully we're in a good position. 'It's a very open race. Obviously Galaxy Patch has trialled very well and might be the horse to beat, but we've got a nice draw. He's moving well and pulled up good from the other day.' Jumping from barrier four, Beauty Eternal is one of three Size-trained gallopers set for the Chairman's Trophy. Group Three winner Ensued drops in trip after a last-start second to Voyage Bubble in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m), while the consistent Red Lion bids for the biggest win of his career. In Sunday's other Group Two, the Sprint Cup (1,200m), Atzeni conceded Gorgeous Win faces a mammoth task against Ka Ying Rising. The Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Gorgeous Win is the lowest-rated of the seven Sprint Cup runners on a mark of 97. 'It's a small field and we all know Ka Ying Rising's going to be tough to beat, but we're all trying to play for some prize money,' Atzeni said. 'There looks to be quite a bit of pace in the race, so hopefully we can give him a chance.' Third in the jockeys' premiership with 35 wins this term, Atzeni hopes to continue his momentum after celebrating his 34th birthday in style with a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday night. 'I came back from the two-day suspension and had winners most meetings and a few doubles. Hopefully I can stay out of the stewards' room and keep the ball rolling,' Atzeni said. Gale Saga, Stellar Express, Robot Knight, South Star and Across Da Universe are Atzeni's other rides on Sunday.
South China Morning Post
02-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
David Hayes continues feature-race spree as Rubylot storms to Classic Cup victory
Trainer David Hayes continued his feature-race spree at Sha Tin on Sunday, snaring the Classic Cup (1,800m) with Rubylot a week after Ka Ying Rising bagged his third Group One win of the season in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m). While Ka Ying Rising was the red-hot favourite and entered the race under a weight of expectation, Rubylot jumped at $14.45 under Brenton Avdulla after only managing sixth in the Classic Mile. 'It really was [an excellent win]. [Classic Mile day] was the day where all the horses that cut the corner were the strongest and he still ran the third-fastest sectional and he went the widest,' said Hayes. 'That wasn't the place to be. Brenton today learned from that – he cut the corner and peeled out into the straight and he was able to unleash that great sprint he's got.' Rubylot mows them down in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin! My Wish is brave in defeat as @brentonavdulla and David Hayes combine for victory... 🏆#4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025 After settling at the back of the field from gate eight in a race run at a breakneck early speed, Rubylot was still as good as last upon straightening before Avdulla found his way out of traffic and unleashed his mount down the centre of the track. The galloper's final 400m of 22.30 seconds was comfortably the quickest of the race and enough for him to see off Classic Mile winner My Wish by three-quarters of a length. After snaring the second leg of the four-year-old series, Hayes was quick to ponder Rubylot's chances in the city's most prestigious race, the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 23. 'You always look at this race to find the closers and that's a good pointer to the Derby. I don't think anyone ran home faster than him today. It was a brilliant sectional,' said Hayes. 'To my eye he was the strongest late and that's a good sign stepping up to the 2,000m. Being a Rubick you were always concerned [about him running the trip] but he's out of a Dubawi mare and stoutly bred on the dam side.' Hayes finished the afternoon with a double after also saluting with Ariel in the Class Three On Ting Handicap (1,650m) on the dirt, ensuring the Australian handler remains at the head of the trainers' premiership with 35 victories. Rubylot's win continued a remarkable resurgence for Hayes, who could only manage 13th in the 2022-23 premiership as he struggled to halt an exodus of gallopers from his stable. 'It was a pretty good crop of PPGs [previously unraced horses] to come out of Lindsay Park – him and Ka Ying [Rising] in the same year,' said Hayes. Ariel pounces for Britney Wong! 🙌 Our apprentice bags a 10th win in Hong Kong as championship-leading trainer David Hayes moves to 34 wins this term... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025 'One's a staying version and one's a speed version. I'm hoping [Rubylot] can do what most of the Classic Series horses that win [do] the next year and that's compete in the upper-class races.' Rubylot's victory completed a roller-coaster afternoon for owners the Hong Kong Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate after Decrelot finished last for Hayes two races earlier. 'I think this is their best horse. They've had an up-and-down day – true ownership – their other horse ran last. I think they're pretty happy with the one that won,' said Hayes. Elsewhere in the Classic Cup, Johannes Brahms finished third, favourite Packing Angel was fourth, Noisy Boy faded into 13th after going too fast in the lead and Mickley ran last.
South China Morning Post
24-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
‘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 — 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.
South China Morning Post
23-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ka Ying Rising makes it 10 straight with fighting win: ‘I was seriously just a bit uptight'
Trainer David Hayes was feeling the pinch in the home straight but ultimately Ka Ying Rising had all the answers on his way to a 10th straight victory in Sunday's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m). The brilliant Ka Ying Rising bagged his third Group One success but first under Karis Teetan, who made no mistake aboard the world's best sprinter in the absence of the injured Zac Purton. 'It's unbelievable how this opportunity came up to be sitting on one of the world's best horses,' said Teetan after his first Group One success in almost three years. 'I'm just really thankful that everything worked out well – I think I was just the pilot on him today. 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 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 'He flew out of the gate, I wanted him to use the early speed that he has but sort of dropped my hands and he just came back to me pretty easily and he was waiting for me to press the button and, when I did, he produced really well.' After settling outside leader California Spangle from gate nine, Ka Ying Rising went for home at around the 350m. He had Helios Express breathing down his neck approaching the 200m before fending him off to salute by a length and a half, with Howdeepisyourlove close behind in third. 'It was fantastic. I had a nervous moment at the 200m but on the line I think he was holding them very well. It was an enjoyable last 100m but a frightening 200m,' said Hayes. 'I did a little bit of self-monitoring and normally I'm about 68 [beats per minute] through a race but I must say at the 200m I looked down and I was 98. I was seriously just a bit uptight for some reason.' Teetan was ecstatic after his second win aboard Ka Ying Rising, shouting to the crowd as he returned to the winners' circle. 'I want to thank the owner and David and finally Zac. I spoke to him during the week and he was really kind,' Teetan said. 'He said 'just know you're on the best horse and ride him like that and trust him', so thank you to Zac.' After twice lowering the Sha Tin 1,200m track record this season, Ka Ying Rising added another string to his bow by winning his first start at 1,400m in a time of 1:20.33 – 0.41 seconds outside the seven-furlong record. 'I have always said he's a miler but he's just such a good sprinter, [so] I'm a bit loath to change. They were closer to him at the 1,200m than the 1,400m,' said Hayes. 'The good thing about drawing wide, as he always does, Karis was never going to get boxed in. But what I didn't like was the track is running a bit swooperish today. I thought he had to defy a bit of a track trend today. 'It was a little bit like my sons' horse [Mr Brightside winning the Group One Futurity Stakes (1,400m) on Saturday] – there's a little bit of breeze, horses aren't winning from the front and he didn't get one bit of cover for one stride and he was good enough to beat them nearly breaking a track record at a different distance yet again. He's a very special horse. There should be a lot more to come.' Hayes confirmed the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) on April 27 is Ka Ying Rising's next main target, with a run in March 30's Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) a possibility if he pulls up well. 'He's won 10 in a row at basically a month between runs so I'm a bit loath to change if he does well,' said Hayes.
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Size assembles four-pronged assault on Ka Ying Rising: ‘it's hard to doubt him'
Master handler hopes one of his Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup quartet can join Wunderbar in bringing down the superstar speedster by Sam Agars on Saturday, February 22, 2025 2:00 PM Helios Express (right) runs second to ka Ying Rising in December's Hong Kong Sprint. Photos: Kenneth Chan The John Size-trained Wunderbar is the only galloper to finish in front of superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising but the master handler hopes one of his stablemates can emulate the feat in Sunday's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m). Size saddles up half of the gallopers aiming to prevent Ka Ying Rising winning his 10th straight race and third Group One, with Helios Express out to turn the tables after four consecutive placings behind David Hayes' speed machine. Howdeepisyourlove also has multiple placings behind Ka Ying Rising this term, while Beauty Eternal and Red Lion step down in trip for the season's only 1,400m Group One. 'Obviously we don't get many opportunities to show their 1,400m form – there's only one a year at Group One level and we don't get a lot of visitors for this race,' said Size of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, which he has won with Electronic Unicorn (2004), Contentment (2016) and Waikuku (2021). — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024 'But's it's always an interesting contest and we've got 1,600m horses and 1,200m horses coming together, which mixes it up a little bit.' While Ka Ying Rising will race over further than 1,200m for the first time, Beauty Eternal is a Group Three winner over 1,400m as well as a Group One victor at a mile and Helios Express snared the Classic Mile and Classic Cup (1,800m) last season. 'Helios Express looks normal. He's trained well and he's strong. The 1,400m might help him out a little bit,' said Size. 'We might get a change in the result, you never know, but the favourite has such a high rating that it's hard to doubt him. It should carry him through. 'Beauty Eternal is training well and I'm not worried about his form. He seems to be in excellent health and condition. The horse is happy. 'The day he won his Group One [in the last year's Champions Mile] it was a rain-affected track, which he might be missing this weekend, but in the past couple of weeks the grass has come on really well on the course proper and it should have bit of cushion in it. 'Howdeepisyourlove has been in very good shape. He's been racing consistently, he does everything right and he runs the same race every time. 'Red Lion is probably a bit over an overachiever. It would be fair to say he's done more than what we expected of him and his honesty will see him through. He's going to give a good account of himself, as usual.' While Helios Express will be ridden by regular jockey Hugh Bowman, there's been plenty of shuffling among Size's other runners and the favourite. Ka Ying Rising will be ridden by Karis Teetan in the absence of the injured Zac Purton and Andrea Atzeni takes the reins from the Australian aboard Beauty Eternal, while Red Lion will be partnered by Alexis Badel for the first time this season. Also among the rotations is the booking of Ben Thompson to replace James McDonald aboard Howdeepisyourlove, with the New Zealander not making it back from Saudi Arabia in time after riding Romantic Warrior in the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m). McDonald is expected to get to Sha Tin in time to partner Voyage Bubble in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m), however, with the Size-trained Ensued among the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained galloper's nine opponents.
