Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising cements 2025 The Everest favouritism with dominant win in Group 2 The Sprint Cup at Sha Tin

Be afraid, Everest rivals. Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising showed yet again why he’s rated the best sprinter in the world with an arrogant win at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Australian jockey Zac Purton gives super sprinter Ka Ying Rising a pat following his crushing win in Sunday's Group 2 The Sprint Cup at Sha Tin. Picture: HKJC

Hong Kong’s super sprinter Ka Ying Rising laid down yet another daunting marker for his Australian opposition in this year’s The Everest with a dominant win in the Group 2 The Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ridden by Australian star Zac Purton, who will ride the Chris Waller-trained Moira in Saturday’s $4 million Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick, Ka Ying Rising exploded past early pacesetter California Spangle shortly after turning for home, with the four-year-old quickly putting five lengths on his rivals before he was eased down 100m from the post.

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“What you see is what you get, right? People are enjoying watching him race as much as we are enjoying being involved with him,” Purton said.

“He’s just getting a lot better behind the gates, he’s more mature and he walks around, he handles everything really well now.

“He’s a lovely horse to do anything with … he’s got a really good brain, obviously he’s got exceptional talent. Today the race wasn’t run as fast as what it normally has been so I didn’t want to give the others a chance, I pressed him early and he just put it away.”

UNSTOPPABLE! 🤯

11 straight wins for world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising as David Hayes' star is an emphatic G2 Sprint Cup winner at Sha Tin... @zpurton#LoveRacing | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/3FkxiZfium

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025

• Ka Ying Rising today, Moira on Saturday: Purton’s globetrotting week

Trained by David Hayes, the youngest member to be admitted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, Ka Ying Rising has now won 12 of 14 starts and more than $HK48 million – a tick under $10 million Australian.

He will next head to the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Champions Day (April 27) as a prohibitive favourite.

Ka Ying Rising smashes his rivals in Sunday's Group 2 The Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.

Before Sunday’s effortless victory at Sha Tin, Ka Ying Rising was already a $2.50 top pick in betting for this year’s The Everest. While the son of Shamexpress is yet to be locked into a slot for the race, Hayes told Racenet earlier this month that he would turn his focus to an Everest preparation after Champions Day.

FREAAAAAAAK! 🔥🔥🔥

KA YING RISING SMASHES THEM IN THE G2 SPRINT CUP! @zpurtonpic.twitter.com/MqRLw6OLK3

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025

• ‘Won’t be backing up’: Conners priorities Prelude over Doncaster for Willaidow

“We have had a number of approaches to take an Everest slot but the Hong Kong Jockey Club are just keen for me to let the horse finish his season and then start the negotiations,’’ Hayes said on March 3.

If Ka Ying Rising wins the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, he will equal the Hong Kong record for wins in a season (8).

2025 THE EVEREST BETTING
Market: TAB fixed odds
$2.50 Ka Ying Rising
$8 Joliestar, Private Harry
$11 Autumn Glow, Briasa, Lady Shenandoah, Sunshine In Paris
$15 Alabama Lass, Giga Kick, Jimmysstar, Lady Of Camelot, Switzerland, Wodeton
$26+ others