The start of a new season is an invariably auspicious occasion and, with the return of superstar sprinter KA YING RISING at Sha Tin today (6 September), Hong Kong’s world-class racing resumes in fantastic style.
Seeking his 21st consecutive victory, KA YING RISING will chase a third straight win in the HK$4.2m HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) which, for the first time, will be contested as an international Group 3.
David Hayes has used the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup as the seasonal starting point for KA YING RISING over the past two seasons and this year’s race looms as particularly important as the world’s joint-No.1 horse prepares to defend his crown in The Everest (1200m) in Sydney on October 17.
Following a brilliant barrier trial last week, KA YING RISING showed some minor lameness in his hind leg the next day and, as the welfare of horses is of paramount importance, KA YING RISING underwent a very stringent and intensive veterinary checking process, including advanced imaging CT scans.
It was concluded that the lameness was caused by minor bruising, due most likely to the horse kicking his concrete feed bin. There was no structural damage and KA YING RISING was back on the track on Thursday and moved beautifully as always and was cleared to be fit to race on Sunday.
I look forward to KA YING RISING’s return this afternoon as we celebrate the formal opening of the 2026/27 season with a wonderful opening ceremony, which will feature the attendance of The Honourable John KC LEE, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officially opens the racing season with the gong-striking ceremony and a performance by Year of the Horse Ambassador, Aaron Kwok.
The HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap is carded as Race 3 and will be run over 1200m at 1.30pm.
The pace will be strong with Zac Purton likely to take the option of leading from barrier one, unless he is strongly pressured for the front, in which case he may ease and sit off the leader. COPARTNER PRANCE (Keith Yeung) has good speed and will be prominent, with LUCKY WITH YOU (Matthew Poon) and MAGIC CONTROL (Matthew Chadwick) in the next pairing.
KA YING RISING has delivered two perfect seasons in a row with eight wins from eight starts from his past two campaigns. At his most recent outing he beat SATONO REVE and RAGING BLIZZARD in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 26 April.
His two trials leading to his return to racing have been outstanding and Zac will have him in a commanding position at the top of the straight from his rails draw. KA YING RISING will give up to 20lbs to his rivals, but he won this race for the last two years with 135lb and he is my win and place selection.
PATCH OF STARS continues to show significant improvement and emerged as a potential star at the end of last season, winning the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase over this course and distance on 31 May. PATCH OF STARS had an easy trial under Karis Teetan two weeks ago in preparation for his race return and represents the biggest danger, if there is one, to KA YING RISING.
LUCKY WITH YOU did not win a race last season but finished the year in good form running third to LITTLE PARADISE and GALAXY PATCH over 1400m at Group level, before making his rare appearance at Happy Valley at the season finale and was beaten in a tight photo finish by CRIMSON FLASH. LUCKY WITH YOU comes into this race off a recent trial and, from gate two, is a place chance.e.
TOMODACHI KOKOROE started last season in career-best form winning his first three starts over this course and distance, including the Group 2 Premier Bowl, beating RAGING BLIZZARD and PACKING HERMOD. TOMODACHI KOKOROE continued to race well for the rest of the season, without winning and is a place chance under Harry Bentley, having easily won a trial at Conghua recently.
Winning races on the global stage remains international racing’s most difficult challenge and four Hong Kong horses – FAST NETWORK, SELF IMPROVEMENT, BEAUTY WAVES and GORGEOUS WIN – will attempt to accomplish the feat today in Japan and Korea, respectively.
FAST NETWORK contests G2 Centaur Stakes, which is carded as S2-1 and will be run over 1200m at 2.30pm at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
FAST NETWORK (Damian Lane) has twice finished third to KA YING RISING in Hong Kong Group 1 races and faces a string of classy Japanese sprinters here. He has drawn barrier eight in the 16-horse field and is a win and place chance.
DIAMOND KNOT (Yuga Kawada), FLICKER JAB (Kohei Matsuyama), PURO MAGIC (Mirai Iwata) and MAMA COCHA (Yutaka Take) have all drawn well and are among the leading chances.
The G3 Korea Sprint is carded as S3-1 and will be run over 1200m on sand at 3.20pm at Seoul Racecourse.
SELF IMPROVEMENT (Dylan Mo) won this race last year under Jerry Chau from barrier seven and has gate nine today. He was resuming when victorious here last year and again is a win and place chance.
BEAUTY WAVES (Jerry Chau) has shaped well in trials but will need luck from gate 13 and it is a similar scenario for GORGEOUS WIN (Richard Kingscote) in gate 16. BEAUTY WAVES has the talent to win and is likely to work towards the lead to avoid the heavy sand kickback in Seoul. If he can get to the lead, he is also a winning chance.
The main threats to a Hong Kong victory appear to be the Japanese pair of AMERICAN STAGE (Ryusei Sakai), who is drawn perfectly in gate three, and DRAGON WELDS (Keito Tosaki).
Our attention then turns to Baden-Baden Racecourse in Germany on Sunday night for the running of the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, which is carded as S4-1 and run over 2400m at 9.25pm.
GIAVELLOTTO (Billy Loughnane) is a world-class stayer, as evidenced by his wins in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in Hong Kong and his last start success over KALPANA, GOLIATH and JAN BRUEGHEL in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot.
He is a clear win and place chance from SADDADD (Jack Mitchell) and BRIGHT LIGHT (Benjamin Marie).
Completing an outstanding day of international racing is Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Day in Paris, where the first of four races will be run at 9.50pm with the staging of the G1 Prix Vermeille, which is carded as S5-1.
SURVIE (Ryan Moore) ran fourth in this race last year and returns to European racing after winning twice in the United States, including at Group 1 level at Saratoga. She has been working well for George Boughey and is a win and place chance.
SPARAN NUA (Rossa Ryan) was narrowly beaten in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks (2371m) by KALPANA and is also a winning chance, while SUNLY (Colin Keane), FRIENDLY SOUL (James Doyle) and PINK PANTHERA (Pierre-Charles Boudot) are also strong contenders.
The G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is carded as S5-2 and will be run over 1600m at 10.25pm.
GSTAAD (Ryan Moore) won the Irish 2000 Guineas and twice finished second to BOW ECHO. He is a win and place chance.
OPERA BALLO (William Buick) won at G1 level in Dubai and is a clear threat in his usual pace-setting role, while TEN BOB TONY (Tom Marquand) won brilliantly at Royal Ascot. ERDENALI (Mickael Barzalona) must also be respected.
Sourcs: Hong Kong Jockey Club