Ka Ying Rising Redefines Speed at Sha Tin with Another Track Record

Ka Ying Rising doesn’t just win—he rewrites history. On Sunday, the four-year-old sprinter shattered his own Sha Tin track record in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), clocking an electrifying 1m 07.20s. That’s his second course record this season, leaving fans and experts alike in awe. Trainer David Hayes called him “probably the best horse” he has ever trained, while jockey Zac Purton described the gelding as “a really special horse.” Big claims, but the numbers back them up.

Facing seven rivals, Ka Ying Rising was unstoppable from the start. Bursting from the gates, Purton expertly maneuvered him into the lead within 200 meters, setting a sharp early pace of 23.30s for the first 400m. But it was the mid-race split that left his competitors floundering—a jaw-dropping 21.54s burst that effectively ended the contest. By the home turn, it wasn’t a question of if he’d win, but by how much. Easing down in the final strides, Ka Ying Rising still finished three and a quarter lengths ahead.

“He’s freakish,” Hayes remarked. “Even when Zac switches him off in the last 100m, he’s breaking records. His versatility and cruising speed make him a nightmare for rivals.” Hayes’ confidence is well-placed—this win marked Ka Ying Rising’s 10th victory in 12 starts, a record most sprinters can only dream of.

The Centenary Sprint Cup is just the beginning. Hayes has confirmed that Ka Ying Rising will target the HK$5 million bonus tied to the Hong Kong Speed Series. With the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) in February and the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) in April on the horizon, the gelding’s dominance could extend even further. Longer term? Hayes hinted at the richest turf race in the world, Australia’s AU$20 million (approx. HK$96.4 million) G1 The Everest, as a tantalizing possibility.

For Purton, who is just one win shy of Douglas Whyte’s Hong Kong record of 1,813 victories, Ka Ying Rising represents something extraordinary. “He’s doing things no other sprinter has done—winning with ease and clocking times that are simply unreal,” Purton said. As Ka Ying Rising continues to defy expectations, the racing world will be watching. His story is far from over, and if Sunday’s performance is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.