Ka Ying Rising moved to within one win of champion Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record with a showstopping blitz in Sunday’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Twelve months after claiming his first elite-level success in the same race but only narrowly, the world’s best sprinter delivered the performance everyone expected when coasting to his 16th straight victory.

“That’s what everyone wanted. Obviously after last year they were a bit flat, but this year we showed everyone what he can do,” said jockey Zac Purton.

Jumping from barrier one for the first time, Ka Ying Rising held out Japan’s Win Carnelian for the lead with Purton eager to stay off the fence.

Purton asked the David Hayes-trained superstar for an effort at the top of the straight and he responded, exploding clear to even give the jockey time to check how far in front he was on the big screen on the inside of the track.

He scored by three and three-quarter lengths eased down by Purton late, clocking 1:07.70 on a surface that wasn’t producing quick times.

“We didn’t really have a fixed plan other than to be positive and I was surprised I led, but I was always going to be happy to lead anyway,” Purton said.

“The fence is obviously no good so I had to get off it but gee, when I looked at the big screen, I was a long way in front.

“He drew the right gate and when the barrier came out, they said ‘what do you think?’ and I said ‘he’ll win by further’.

“He’s just in a league of his own now and not having to do that extra work into the first corner from a wide gate to try and get forward really helped him.”

Raging Blizzard ran on strongly from the second half of the field to snatch second from Fast Network, who kept on after tracking Ka Ying Rising in running.

The 2023 Hong Kong Sprint winner Lucky Sweynesse made late ground for fourth ahead of Helios Express.

Legendary jockey Ryan Moore paid Ka Ying Rising the ultimate compliment after finishing ninth on Japan’s Satono Reve.

“The winner’s just exceptional – the best I’ve seen at that trip,” Moore said.

Ka Ying Rising joins Falvelon (2000-01), Silent Witness (2003-04), Lord Kanaloa (2012-13) and Mr Stunning (2017-18) as back-to-back winners of the city’s biggest sprint.

“I was just relieved he didn’t let our expectations down and the public’s expectations,” said Hayes, who also won the race with All Thrills Too in 2002.

“He was superb today and the messages he was sending the week of the race suggested he’d do something like that. We’re not running fast times today but he did – a lot faster than the other races.

“We’re hoping he’s got another 20 races in him. I think on the eye, that’s as spectacular a win as he’s had. The Royal Ascot form was in the race, great Japanese form in the race, form from Dubai and the Breeders’ Cup – they’re probably the best sprinters around and he’s making them look ordinary and I can assure you, they’re not.”

Ka Ying Rising will bid to equal Silent Witness’ record in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) at his next start on January 25.

That is the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, which the son of Shamexpress claimed last season.

“He’ll be set for the fantastic Hong Kong [Speed Series] again. It’ll be fun to see him out to 1,400m [in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup], which he did last season, and then all systems [go] towards the [Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize] here and then he’ll be going to The Everest again,” Hayes said.

“Let’s hope he’s sound and well but if he’s in the form he was in today, he’ll love to take those Aussies on again.”