David Hayes was left suitably impressed as Ka Ying Rising routed his rivals in a barrier trial ahead of his date with destiny in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday week.

The world’s best sprinter is aiming to surpass the legendary Silent Witness by winning his 18th race on the spin when he tackles the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series and his trial on Tuesday morning went off without a hitch.

Initially travelling second, Ka Ying Rising strode into the lead off the home turn and cantered clear of the opposition with his electric turn of foot despite never leaving first gear under Zac Purton.

It was the perfect preparation with a view to his next Group One task and Hayes was left beaming from ear to ear.

“He broke one [minute] eight [seconds] and I don’t think Zac was doing too much on him; he had a nice, healthy blow,” said Hayes.

“We just let him relax in the first part of the trial, practising for 1,400m in a couple of weeks. I like the way he responded; he just took a sit, easy, and then Zac strode up and he won as you’d expect.”

It has been a barnstorming period for Hayes, who secured a third-straight DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley last Wednesday, and he remains right on trainers’ premiership leader Mark Newnham’s heels.

He is just one win behind and he will have designs on overhauling him when Bienvenue returns from an enforced absence in the second section of the Class Three Sam Chuk Handicap (1,200m) on Wednesday night.

A winner on return over course and distance, he found just a reopposing Kyrus Dragon too good when bidding to follow up a month later.

He has been absent since bleeding from both nostrils at the Valley on his most recent start, but Hayes reports him in rude health ahead of his return and he believes there is more to come from his four-year-old, who will break from barrier 10 under Purton.

“He was a good, consistent horse at the start of the season. He had a bleed, unfortunately, but he’s had a really nice, slow build-up from the bleed – a couple of trials,” said Hayes.


“His work after the trial was solid so we’re pleased to have Zac on him, even though it’s a bit of an awkward gate. You have to give them a rest, we did that and just gave him a nice break and gradually built up.”

“I’ve had a lot of success with one-time bleeders coming back and winning races. He’s never bled before – it was a one-off thing.

“I would have said at the start of the season, he’s similar to Romantic Son and Romantic Son’s mid 80s now,
so there’s a bit of room for him.”

Hayes will also renew the fruitful partnership with jockey Harry Bentley when Harmony N Blessed tackles section one of the Sam Chuk Handicap.

The veteran will shoulder top weight of 135lb and concede 8lb or more to his rivals, but Bentley is hoping to get all the favours from barrier five and is positive about his chances.

“The last time he dropped into the class he won straight away, which is a good sign. He has a good draw and that’s going to help him get into a nice position as he likes to be on or near the front end,” said Bentley.