Australian jockey Zac Purton has one job in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on Sunday at Sha Tin – let the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising “do his thing”.
The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising, trained by David Hayes, is $1.05 to defend the HK Sprint crown.
Japanese raider Satono Reve and Hong Kong sprinter Helios Express lead the race for the minor money prizes.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Purton has embraced the vibe and buzz this week for Hong Kong International Races but race-day performance matters the most.
“I never go into a race thinking (we’re unbeatable),” Purton said.
“You always go in thinking you give them their chance and that’s what I’ve got to do, give him a chance to be his best.
“I would be surprised, and I think everyone would be surprised (if he did get beaten), but at the end of the day he’s got to go out and do it.”
Ka Ying Rising completed a final gallop on Friday to tune up for Sunday’s Turf World Championships at Sha Tin, which includes four Group 1 features, including Romantic Warrior’s quest for an unprecedented fourth Hong Kong Cup (2000m).
• Al Riffa big hope in HK Vase after ‘super’ Melbourne Cup run
“It’s a history-making event, Romantic Warrior going for four straight Hong Kong Cups, never been done before,” Purton said.
“He’s some horse and what he’s done around the world … in Australia, Japan, Dubai and Saudi.
“He’s a warrior, he really is, and it’s been a pleasure to watch as closely as I have been able to here in Hong Kong.
“My guy has assembled a good record … He’s in really good form and his last win was exceptional.
“We’re just looking forward to getting out there Sunday and letting him do his thing.”
Ka Ying Rising has won 16 of 18 starts, including five in elite company.
The Everest win two starts back cemented Ka Ying Rising’s reputation, before a return Hong Kong victory erased any travel hangover doubt.
• English superstar reveals new challenge ahead of Group 1 return
“He wasn’t at his best in (The Everest), he was still good enough and he beat the best sprinters in the world down there in Australia,” Purton said.
“It illustrates how good he is … when you take them anywhere you worry about how they’re going to perform.
“A different environment, different surface, different racing style, different horses you’re up against, and the other concern is how they’re going to come back after it.
“But as soon as I got on him here in Hong Kong he gave every sign he really enjoyed himself down there and he was happy to be back.
“He galloped really well last week, he was very fresh last week but he was a lot more relaxed Tuesday morning and he’s in really good form.”
Originally published as Zac Purton will let the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising ‘do his thing’ in Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin
