Ka Ying Rising faces California Spangle in Group 2 Premier Bowl

By Declan Schuster
David Hayes is eager to test Ka Ying Rising in Sunday’s (20 October) HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin, although the dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99) remains wary of an imposing California Spangle threat.

The 119-rating Ka Ying Rising is one of Hong Kong’s hottest young sprinters. The four-year-old bossed rivals first-up with top-weight (135lb) in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) on rain affected ground at Sha Tin last month.

The son of Shamexpress meets reigning Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2023/24) California Spangle for the first time, among a glittering entry also featuring Invincible Sage, Taj Dragon, Encountered, Flying Ace, Howdeepisyourlove, Beauty Waves, Lucky With You, Majestic Knight, Helios Express, Packing Treadmill and Harmony N Blessed.

“Tony Cruz’s horse California Spangle, as we all know, is very good — he’s a world-class horse. It’ll be a good test for my horse,” Hayes said. “It’s a better weight than last time (128lb before declarations), especially when he had top weight and a bad barrier (seven) last start.”

Ka Ying Rising’s biggest win came in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) last season. The bay has won his last five starts in a row and carried 20lb more than Beauty Waves when victorious in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup.

Trained by Pierre Ng, Beauty Waves has since won the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) on 1 October under 115lb to now boast a rating of 103. Ng also saddles Taj Dragon.

“Beauty Waves meets us worse, so it may not be as easy. He’s had the benefit of a run in between. There’ll be improvement in Ka Ying Rising, he’s a very competitive young horse,” Hayes said.

Ka Ying Rising finished first in a recent trial at Conghua on 10 October under Zac Purton, clocking 1m 11.19s for the 1200m effort on turf.

Last-start Class 2 winner Harmony N Blessed also represents Hayes in Sunday’s Premier Bowl, with Keagan De Melo engaged to ride.

“He’s probably hit his peak form at the moment and he’s doing very well back at home. He’s going to have to step it up a little to be competitive but he’s definitely in the right space of mind to do so,” De Melo said.

Matthew Chadwick rides featherweight chance Beauty Waves, the last-start Group 3 winner. He is hoping for a smooth run atop the Irish-bred by Starspangledbanner.

“He gets in with another light weight and hopefully he gets a nice and easy draw, finds a nice position and hits the line again,” Chadwick said.

Lucky With You has placed twice in Group 1s. After finishing sixth in the rain affected HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup, trainer Frankie Lor wants dry conditions this Sunday.

“He’s good. Last time it was raining and that’s not good for him. Usually, a good or firm track is better for him,” Lor said.

Andrea Atzeni reunites with Lucky With You — runner-up at odds of 36/1 in the 2023 HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) behind Lucky Sweynesse.

Vincent Ho partners Taj Dragon for Ng. The combination teamed up to win last Sunday’s (13 October) HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) with Galaxy Patch.

Taj Dragon is a six-time 1400m winner at Sha Tin, including the HK$4.2 million G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m). The Mehmas gelding was second to The Golden Scenery in the HK$4.2 million G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m).

“The blinkers will sharpen him up and we’ll see how he goes because his fitness is there. Last time he was beaten by the handicap,” Ho said. “There’s decent horses in the race — I’m looking forward to it.”

Taj Dragon carried 135lb in defeat first-up, while The Golden Scenery won under 121lb.

Last season’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero Massive Sovereign turned heads with an impressive turf trial win over 1600m this morning (Tuesday, 15 October) at Sha Tin.

The Dennis Yip-trained Massive Sovereign is expected to return on 3 November at Sha Tin in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) before tackling the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) a fortnight after.

“I think after this trial he will improve even more and be even fitter. He trialled very good this morning, I’m very happy and Zac was happy, too,” Yip said.

Massive Sovereign has had two trials ahead of his return. He finished third in the first of the hit outs behind Romantic Warrior at Happy Valley on 5 October.

The Group 1-placed Five G Patch closed off nicely in the same barrier trial under Brenton Avdulla for Tony Cruz.