Ka Ying Rising lights up Sha Tin again

Ka Ying Rising met trainer David Hayes’ expectations as he coasted to victory in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin.

David Hayes’ five-year-old was drawn one for the first time in his career in the six-furlong contest but that proved no barrier to success as he started sharply and quickly took the lead, with Zac Purton steering an ideal course up the straight to defeat Raging Blizzard with any amount in hand.

Ka Ying Rising was notching up his 16th consecutive win and Hayes felt the three-and-three-quarter-length verdict was his most visually impressive success yet.

He said: “I was just relieved he didn’t let our expectations down and the public’s expectations – he was superb today.

“The messages he was sending the week of the race suggested he would do something like that. They’re not running fast times today but he did, a lot faster than the other races.

“I think, on the eye, that was as spectacular win as he’s done.”

Ka Ying Rising ventured overseas for the first time this year to win The Everest in Australia and Hayes will be plotting a route back to that Randwick contest next year.

He added: “It will then be the big international sprint here and then he’ll be going to The Everest. Let’s just hope he is sound and well and if he is in the form he was today, we’d love to take those Aussies on again.”

Khaadem represented British hopes for Charlie Hills but his chance was gone from the off as Oisin Murphy’s stirrup leather snapped in the early strides and he could only concentrate on maintaining the partnership to come home safely.

Romantic Warrior extended his own record as he claimed a fourth successive victory in the Longines Hong Kong Cup.

The seven-year-old has not been beaten on home soil since 2023 and he delivered another dominant performance to take his career earnings surging past £24million on the top-class card.

Jockey James McDonald oozed confidence throughout and when given the signal turning into the straight, Romantic Warrior moved up with ease before asserting his authority in the final furlong to see off Bellagio Opera by a cosy length and three-quarters, with French raider Quisisana back in third.

The Danny Shum-trained winner was involved in one of the finishes of the season as he and Forever Young went toe-to-toe in the Saudi Cup, with Romantic Warrior beaten just a neck before he subsequently suffered a shock defeat in Dubai and later underwent surgery for a fetlock injury.

An emotional McDonald: “He’s so special. He’s just a freak.

“I don’t know what to say. I just love him.”

Shum added: “I’m very proud of Romantic Warrior and our stable team, they work really hard. It’s a big relief. He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior.

“To be honest, there was a lot of pressure. He had his surgery but he is such a good, calm, lovely horse. He’s part of my family, I love him. My son says I love Romantic Warrior more than him!”

Purton made it a Group One double as Voyage Bubble rallied for victory in the Longines Hong Kong Mile.

In a repeat of last year’s finish, the winner fought it out with Japanese raider Soul Rush, just pushing half a length in front on the line, with Harry Eustace’s runner Docklands keeping on for a close-up fourth.