Hall of Fame jockey Zac Purton says it feels like all of Hong Kong is getting behind superstar Ka Ying Rising’s bid to become the first international sprinter to win the $20m The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick next month.
Ka Ying Rising travelled overnight from Hong Kong, arriving in Sydney on Monday morning before being transported to the Canterbury stable and quarantine training facility.
There was little fanfare for Ka Ying Rising’s arrival but that is the calm before the storm, according to Purton.
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“We only have a small pool of horses in Hong Kong and the people here become quite parochial about their champions as every country does,” Purton said.
“Racing is the biggest sport in the city so the followers really get behind their great horses like they have with Romantic Warrior and Golden Sixty.
“With Ka Ying Rising going to The Everest, the race is creating a lot of interest in Hong Kong.
“It continues to build as we get closer to the race and I think that is great for racing in Sydney and Australia, and great for racing globally as well.
“Ka Ying Rising is the new superstar of Hong Kong racing and a lot of his followers are excited to be travelling to Sydney to watch him race. I was very conscious of booking my flight early to get a seat on the plane!”
Zac Purton has declared Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising has returned better than ever. Picture: Getty Images
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The David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising is the world’s number one-ranked sprinter and the $1.70 TAB Fixed Odds favourite to win The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18.
Ka Ying Rising is on a 13-race winning streak including his brilliant first-up effort in the Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin where he shouldered 61kg but won effortlessly by more than two lengths in a fast 1min 07.63sec.
Purton, who is booked to ride the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest in the Group 1 $5m King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on The Everest day, is convinced five-year-old Ka Ying Rising is a physically stronger and more mature horse this season.
“Everything has been going great with his preparation and he has returned in really good form,” Purton said.
“Mentally, he is a lot more relaxed, physically he is much stronger. I thought his first-up win was the equal of anything he has done before.
“He moved very well and changed his leg which was pleasing to see. Hopefully, that is the catalyst for him to start to do it regularly on raceday.”
Purton said it was crucial for Ka Ying Rising to “change legs” when asked to accelerate under pressure in a race.
The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising arrives into quarantine at Canterbury Racecourse on Monday Picture: Thomas Lisson
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“If they continue to race on the one leg, they get very tired,” Purton explained.
“Because of the ability this guy has, he has been managing to get away with it and still win his races which is incredible when you consider the level he is doing it at and the times he is running.
“But when he has put up those incredible performances, that has been when he has changed his leg, got that burst of energy and dashed away.”
Purton will travel to Sydney to ride Ka Ying Rising in a barrier trial at Randwick on October 7 which Hayes has described as a “dress rehearsal” for The Everest.
But Hong Kong’s champion jockey revealed he won’t get the opportunity to ride Golden Eagle winner Lake Forest before the King Charles III Stakes.
“I’m looking forward to riding the English horse, Lake Forest, in the King Charles,” Purton said.
“It will be good to see him back in Australia again as the form out of the Golden Eagle last season has been incredibly strong.
“Hopefully, he has trained on and all reports are he is going well but he will need to as the King Charles will be a very strong race.”
Lake Forest winning last year’s Golden Eagle. Picture: Getty Images
Purton said he was hoping to pick up a ride in the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on November 1 but with the race not being allocated Group 1 status, the jockey has not been granted permission from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to travel to Sydney for the race.
“I’ve had a couple of feelers for other races in Sydney during the spring but I haven’t committed to anything just yet,” he said.
“Of course, I’m also hoping to pick up a ride in the Melbourne Cup, too.”
Lake Forest is due to arrive in Sydney on Tuesday and will join Ka Ying Rising in quarantine at Canterbury.