Hong Kong has discovered a new sprinting star with Ka Ying Rising’s (ShamExpress) victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (2 June).

The David Hayes-trained gelding faced his biggest test and most daunting opposition after winning his past three starts, all at Sha Tin, but again showed his class in the eight-horse field.

Now with an overall record of five wins at Sha Tin, the three-year successfully faced off with more seasoned rivals led by Group 1 winners Victor The Winner (135lb) and Invincible Sage (129lb).

Ka Ying Rising’s demolition job of a quality field in Class 2 at his most recent start when he won by two and a half lengths gave his supporters plenty of faith that he could roll the highly fancied Invincible Sage, who won his maiden G1 with victory in the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day (28 April).

Trainer David Hall went into the race with a two-pronged attack and had the talented Flying ace as a back-up to stable star Invincible Sage who was disappointing, finishing last after racing handy in the early stages of the race and is perhaps suited to yielding ground. Howdeepisyourlove finished third, with Mugen in fourth.

After finally snaring a good inside barrier, Flying Ace fought on gamely from gate three to grab second but was no match for Ka Ying Rising.

Ka Ying Rising was the only three-year-old in the race and also the most inexperienced with just six starts. He also had the benefit of the minimum weight.

As expected, Victor The Winner crossed to lead from the outside barrier while Ka Ying Rising, expertly ridden by Karis Teetan, jumped about midfield but quickly drove through to settle fourth.

Ka Ying Rising made his run wide and with 20 pounds fewer than Victor The Winner quickly grabbed his more seasoned rival, with Flying Ace and Howdeepisyourlove finishing quickly but never a chance of overhauling the winner.

With Ka Ying Rising’s regular rider Zac Purton in Japan to ride Voyage Bubble and unlikely to ride at such a light weight, Teetan snapped up the ride which gave him his first Group win of the season.

“It’s a big opportunity and I’ve got to thank David (Hayes) and the owners,” Teetan said.

“All credit to the horse. He is progressive and I think he has got a bright future in Hong Kong.”

Teetan said Ka Ying Rising gives the feel of a good horse.

“I said to David I was pretty happy to get some sort of cover on him and I could just feel he was ready for me to push the button on him.”

Hayes could now look ahead for better races for his new stable star who he predicts will only get better and he was full of credit for Teetan’s ride.

“What I loved is Karis could just put him in the one-one and give him a beautiful trip, “Hayes said.

“Karis said he was sort of switching off late, day dreaming and being a bit young, but when it’s time to push the button, he’s got incredible acceleration and he ran 1m 08.00s Not many horses do that in Hong Kong.”

Hayes said the horse had sent him a message tonight when he up on his toes more which showed him the horse has probably had enough now.

 “It’s a good time to stop him and bring him back for, maybe, the first race of the season (Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap, 1200m),” he said.

“He’s really something to get out of bed for and look forward to training next year.”