David Hayes supremely confident with Ka Ying Rising ahead of G1 Centenary Sprint Cup

David Hayes is confident Ka Ying Rising remains in peak form as the world’s highest-rated sprinter chases history in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 January).

Unbeaten in 16 starts since 12 February, 2024, Ka Ying Rising will equal Silent Witness’ record for a Hong Kong-trained horse of 17 victories in a row if he eclipses six rivals in this weekend’s Group 1 double-header, which also features Romantic Warrior’s clash with Voyage Bubble in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

Acclaimed last week as Timeform Horse of the Year (2025) as well as being acknowledged this week as both the world’s premier sprinter and joint second-best horse in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Ka Ying Rising has won 17 of 19 starts, including six at Group 1 level.

Hayes is adamant Ka Ying Rising, who broke his own Sha Tin 1200m track record in the 2025 Centenary Sprint Cup with a winning time of 1m 07.20s, has not regressed since his devastating G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) triumph in December.

“Last start was probably his best win and he seems no worse and what’s so special about him is that he just keeps putting up consistent ratings that are exceptional. Everything tells me that he’s the same,” Hayes said.

“I would say (his form is) very similar. It’s hard to say better, isn’t it?”

A dual Hong Kong champion trainer, Hayes said he never expected to have a horse capable of threatening Silent Witness’ record, which has stood since 2005.

"I never thought that would happen but it’s looking very realistic and if trackwork and trials are any guide, he’s (Ka Ying Rising) held his form and it’s exciting for the weekend,” Hayes said.

Ka Ying Rising will jump from barrier four under Zac Purton, while Hayes will also be represented by Tomodachi Kokoroe (Harry Bentley) against Helios Express (Hugh Bowman), Fast Network (James McDonald), Raging Blizzard (Brenton Avdulla), Beauty Waves (Matthew Chadwick) and Lucky With You (Luke Ferraris).

“Tomodachi Kokoroe needs to improve. He was fantastic until he got up to the upper class and then when he got into the Group 1s, he struggled. But he’s healthy and well and I’m hoping he can run a place,” Hayes said.

Thirteen-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size is represented in the Centenary Sprint Cup by Raging Blizzard, who ran second to Ka Ying Rising in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while Helios Express was fifth in the same race.

“I don’t think there’s much between them at this stage of their careers; it just depends on the circumstances of the race, the tempo and the track conditions of the day to split them,” Size said.

“Raging Blizzard ran a big race on international day to finish second and Helios Express has been consistent, too.”

Size will pit 2025 G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) winner Red Lion against Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in the Stewards’ Cup, which is the first leg of the Triple Crown.

To jump from barrier one under Hugh Bowman, Red Lion ran third to Voyage Bubble and Soul Rush in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 14 December.

“You never know what can happen on a racetrack and that’s how we live but, as we know, he’s beaten the great horse (Voyage Bubble) once and that was a good example that on any given day, something can work in your favour,” Size said.

“His run on international day was near his best and he’s fit and well.”

Last season’s Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble will start from barrier six in his bid to win a third consecutive Stewards’ Cup, while Romantic Warrior will jump from gate seven. Apart from fellow Group 1 winners Red Lion and Lucky Sweynesse, the decorated pair will also face Beauty Joy, Galaxy Patch, Straight Arron, My Wish and Sunlight Power.

“The horses are fine and I’m expecting them all to run their usual races. They’ve been in very good shape and they’ve been racing well on the track, too,” Size said.

“They all ran well on international day and now they’ve had some time to recuperate, I think they’re ready to run very well again.

“I can’t ask for anything more from them in their preparation, but you also can’t expect too much when you’re racing three champions like Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior. It could all go according to plan, or there could be an upset – you never know until they cross the line.”

Sunday’s (25 January) 11-race Sha Tin meeting starts with the Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap (1000m) at 12.30pm.