With the impact of KA YING RISING’s extraordinary victory in the G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday (18 October) still resonating around the world, the focus on December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (LONGINES HKIR) has further intensified with the stunning performance of the world champion sprinter.
The reaction to KA YING RISING’s brilliant performance in Sydney, where he eclipsed Australia’s finest sprinters on their home turf, has been overwhelmingly positive and has brought tremendous credit on Hong Kong, China and our world-class horseracing.
With only 53 days until the LONGINES HKIR on 14 December, interest in KA YING RISING as the people’s horse of Hong Kong, China is phenomenal and creating fantastic attention on our flagship meeting, which will also feature the cream of our elite horses including another global champion ROMANTIC WARRIOR.
KA YING RISING looked in great condition after safely arriving back at Sha Tin on Tuesday (21 October) to complete two weeks of quarantine before ramping up preparations in search of a sixth Group 1 victory and 15th win in a row and I again congratulate David Hayes, Zac Purton, Mr Leung Shek Kong and the Ka Ying Syndicate for their pivotal roles in guiding KA YING RISING into history as the first overseas horse to win The Everest.
I would also like to thank David’s dedicated stable staff who looked after KA YING RISING in Sydney and ensured he was in top condition.
I returned to Hong Kong on Saturday night and was delighted to take part in the KA YING RISING victory celebration at Sha Tin, where our passionate supporters gathered at the Parade Ring to show their appreciation for this amazing horse.
The sporting highlight at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 October) was provided by another talented five-year-old with MY WISH winning the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) in very convincing fashion for Mark Newnham and Alexis Badel.
Although MY WISH carried only 115lb and received 20lb from VOYAGE BUBBLE, he still had to overcome a tricky gate in barrier 11 to find a forward position under a good ride by Alexis, who was substituting for Luke Ferraris because of the light weight.
MY WISH showed his potential in winning last season’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and finishing close seconds in both the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and it is great to see the 2024/25 Classic Generation form translating into success in open company.
Mark has mapped out a programme for MY WISH aimed at the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 14 December and it will be interesting to see how this very talented galloper fares at level weights at international level.
At Happy Valley tonight (22 October), the Beer Garden hosts Bollywood Night when we celebrate Hong Kong’s deep connection with the city’s Indian community which is marking Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This is a very colourful event highlighted by traditional Bollywood dance routines as well as quality food and beverages at our iconic city racetrack.
The feature race is the Class 2 LONGINES Cup Handicap, which is carded as Race 6 and run over 1000m at 9.10pm with prizemoney of HK$2.84 million.
The speed will be good to fast with YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (Luke Ferraris) likely to lead HARMONY N BLESSED (Karis Teetan) and SUPERB CAPITALIST (Matthew Chadwick) with STELLAR EXPRESS (Brenton Avdulla) and WHIZZ KID (Harry Bentley) next.
COLOURFUL KING (Andrea Atzeni) won twice from three starts over this course and distance last season, scoring in quick time on both occasions. COLOURFUL KING has had extended time at Conghua since and has been impressive in winning both his trials ahead of his first-up run here. Despite a wide draw, COLOURFUL KING is a win and place chance.
SUPERB CAPITALIST is a six-time winner at this course and resumed with a brilliant victory from YOUTHFUL SPIRITS over 1000m on 17 September. He has been at Conghua since and had an easy trial in preparation for this race. He should be in a good position from his middle draw and SUPERB CAPITALIST is a place chance.
HORSEPOWER (Zac Purton) won three races last season, including two over this course and distance and posting quick times on both times. HORSEPOWER will be suited by the fast pace expected here, has a perfect draw in gate three and is also a place chance.
YOUTHFUL SPIRITS has been placed in the top-three nine times over this course and distance since last winning in June 2024. He has brilliant gate speed and should be in front well into the home straight. YOUTHFUL SPIRITS is consistent and can be placed.
This is a competitive contest with short course sprinters like AURORA LADY (Keith Yeung), RED ELEGANCE (Hugh Bowman) and STELLAR EXPRESS all having the ability to figure in the finish on their best form.
Finally, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of former Hong Kong trainer David Hill, who passed away last week.
David trained the champion RIVER VERDON, whose place in Hong Kong’s racing history is cemented in his historic accomplishment to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 1993/94 – a feat unmatched until VOYAGE BUBBLE’S Triple Crown sweep last season.
David was a joint Hong Kong champion trainer and I am saddened by his passing.
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