It’s easy to see why trainer David Hayes is excited about Ka Ying Rising, the sprinting sensation who was last season crowned Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse.

Returning in Sunday’s (8 September) HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin, the four-year-old begins a campaign that Hayes hopes encompasses a HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) tilt.

“The plan is for his fourth race to be the Hong Kong Sprint. After this (Sunday), he’ll have two more ‘prep’ races. I didn’t want to wait to bring him back in those races because I stopped him early last season. He’s had a nice break and he needs to get racing,” Hayes said.

The HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) and HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) shape as potential second and third runs.

The five-time winning Ka Ying Rising closed his debut campaign with a smart victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) under a featherweight impost (115lb), while on Sunday he carries 135lb as the highest rated runner in the race.

“He’s first-up and will carry a big weight, so whatever he does there’s a lot of things to say that he’ll be getting better and better as the ‘prep’ goes on. I think he’s done enough to say that he’ll be very competitive and go very close,” Hayes said.

“Any horse who can go from a rating of 52 to 111 in a single season – they’re pretty smart.”

The bay finished second in a turf barrier trial last Saturday (31 August) over 1000m at Sha Tin, cruising through his hit-out under jockey Zac Purton in a time of 57.32s behind Magic Control. Purton rides again this weekend.

“Because it’s close to the race, we didn’t let him go too hard. He still ran fast time and I thought he looked pretty good doing it without being put under pressure.

“He’s always been a bit on the slim and angular side. He’s stronger than he was last season, for sure. I think we’ll see a stronger version of him when he parades on Sunday,” Hayes said.

The New Zealand-bred Ka Ying Rising has carried 135lb to success previously, doing so in Class 3 as he got the better of Call Me Glorious, who subsequently won two more races last term by a combined eight and three quarter lengths.

“He’s first-up, big weight and a possible wet track – that’s not easy for any horse, however, he did carry a big weight as a three-year-old in Class 3, so he’s a proven weight carrier. Some horses can’t carry weight, but he can,” Hayes said.

Hayes is also represented by Harmony N Blessed (115lb) in the feature race. Flying Ace (131lb), Lucky With You (127lb), Majestic Knight (127lb), Packing Treadmill (123lb), Beauty Charge (119lb), Superb Capitalist (118lb), Beauty Waves (115lb) and Baby Crystal (115lb) are also engaged.

“It might be a bridge too far for him (Harmony N Blessed), but there’s no races to run in him and he needs the run,” Hayes said.

Hayes also saddles Sunny Baby, Youth Power, Metro Warrior, Snowalot, Amazing Run, Gallant Crown, Master Mastermind and Awesome Treasure this weekend.

“He (Master Mastermind) trialled very well a couple of times last season and he trialled well last Saturday,” Hayes said.

With more horses in his care, Hayes is optimistic of bettering last season’s score of 47 wins.

“I would be very disappointed if I couldn’t beat last year’s tally, because last year I had around 48 horses for most of the year and this year I’m starting with 65. Hopefully it’ll be a significant improvement on last year,” he said.

Sunday’s (8 September) season-opening 10-race fixture at Sha Tin commences at 12.50pm with the Class 5 Kowloon Peak Handicap (1600m).