World's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 wins in a row to leave connections eyeing 'the big one' next

Ka Ying Rising, the world's highest-rated sprinter, recorded a 12th consecutive victory in breathtaking fashion in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Sunday to tee up a shot at history in the Everest later this year.

The David Hayes-trained four-year-old was sent off at 1-20, with Satono Reve among a strong Japanese challenge, but Zac Purton was in cruise control throughout and pushed him clear for a two-and-a-quarter-length win.

Ka Ying Rising was positioned prominently but surged into the lead in the straight with minimal effort under a hands and heels ride from Purton to produce arguably his best performance.

Purton said: "Every time he comes out here he produces something special and he did it again without needing to change his [lead] leg. He put them away quickly.

"I applaud the Japanese as they're willing to travel and take anyone on, so you've got to give them credit. They were running for second against him.

"He's getting better and better, and the next one is the big one."

Ka Ying Rising became just the fifth horse to complete the hat-trick in Hong Kong's three Group 1 sprints and his extraordinary unbeaten run came after winning a handicap off a rating of 69 in February last year. Ahead of Sunday, he was the second best turf horse in the world with a rating of 124.

He was shortened to evens (from 7-5) with bet365 for the Everest, the richest turf race on the planet worth A$20 million (£9.63m/€11.23m), run over six furlongs at Randwick in October.

Satono Reve, who had won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in Japan last month, finished second to reverse placings from the Hong Kong Sprint with Helios Express. 

The third home was placed behind Ka Ying Rising for a seventh time this season.

Red roars to shock victory

Red Lion caused a 90-1 shock in the Champions Mile but had to survive a lengthy stewards' inquiry after a tussle up the straight with odds-on favourite Voyage Bubble.

The pair made contact before a short head separated them on the line, but the result was not overturned after an appeal from the runner-up's jockey James McDonald.

The John Size-trained six-year-old Red Lion, who was recording a first success since February 2024, had been second to Beauty Eternal in this race last year.

Winning jockey Hugh Bowman said: “Congratulations to John and the ownership group because he's such a consistent horse and he's a worthy Group 1 winner.

“It's fantastic. He's a consistent, courageous horse. Having had the opportunity to ride him a few times, I had the confidence in him. 

"I didn't really expect to lead. With a little bit of moisture in the ground, it certainly assisted his chances and I'm just so proud of him.”

Tastiera strikes for Japan

There was a one-two for Japan in the QEII Cup as Tastiera held off the challenge of Prognosis to record his second Group 1 victory.

The 2023 Japanese Derby winner, who had finished third in the Hong Kong Cup to Romantic Warrior on his previous start, surged clear under Damian Lane to strike for trainer Noriyuki Hori.

Lane said: “Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star.

 “I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on these days, let alone having great chances on these horses. It is what being a jockey is all about, competing on these big international carnivals. It's very rewarding.”

The Francis Graffard-trained Goliath was ninth of the ten finishers, with Japan's dual Classic heroine Liberty Island pulled up having sadly suffered a fatal injury.

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'Exceptional' Ka Ying Rising demolishes Sha Tin rivals to bolster status as best sprinter in the world 

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