Ka Ying Rising wins the 2024 Longines Hong Kong Sprint

2024 Longines Hong Kong Sprint Results

Zac Purton celebrates aboard Sprint winner Ka Ying Rising.

Date: 12/08/2024

The shortest of the International Races at Sha Tin is the HK$26 million (US$3.34 million) Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) at 1200 meters, the richest 6 furlong turf sprint in the world, and the final leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. Ka Ying Rising was sent off as the 1-10 favorite in the field of 14 off a 7 race winning streak including the Premier Bowl (G2) and Jockey Club Sprint (G2). In to challenge him included 11-1 second choice Helios Express, second in the Premier Bowl then third in the Jockey Club Sprint, and 14-1 third choice Satono Reve, winner of the Keeneland Cup (G2) at Sapporo before disappointing 7th in the Sprinters Stakes (G2) at Nakayama.

Jockey Brent Avdulla sent 26-1 California Spangle to the lead through fractions of 23.38 and 46.65 while pressed by 103-1 Victor the Winner and stalked by Ka Ying Rising. Turning for home jockey Zac Purton sent Ka Ying Rising to challenge, and he outfinished late-running Helios Express to win by 1/2 a length in 1:08.15. It was another 1/4 length back to Satono Reve third.

 #  Horse                Jockey          Win   Place
 1  Ka Ying Rising       Purton         2.20    2.10
12  Helios Express       Bowman                 3.50
 9  Satono Reve          Moreira                4.60

Winning Time:  1:08.15

$2  Quinella 1-12                    7.20
$2  Exacta 1-12                      8.90
$2  Trifecta 1-12-9                 39.60
  

Left: Ka Ying Rising in the winner’s circle. Winning jockey Zac Purton said, “Something lunged at the gate just before he went and it took his mind off it and he turned his head, so he was a little bit slow to step and then Victor The Winner just bore my neck the whole way and he never quite relaxed the way he has.”

Right: Ka Ying Rising heads back to the barn. Winning trainer David Hayes said, “The start wasn’t perfect and he got pressure when he normally gets a bit of cover, so I think it was a better win than it looked. You’re never confident going into international Group 1s because there’s so many unknowns, but I was as confident as you could be.We’ll see how he pulls up, but the initial one will be the Group 1 sprint in late January, six weeks between the runs and then after that, we’ll make a decision whether we go to the (Hong Kong Classic) Mile or not. He was going to relax, Victor (The Winner) came up to him and really eyeballed him. So, I think when he relaxes, we all know he’s more explosive. That was probably the least exciting to the eye, but I know that was a great win because he did pull.”

Left: Ka Ying Rising heads out to the track the race. Purton added, “He was working the whole way and never had time to relax. He wasn’t at his best today and is better than this and still go the job done.”

Right: All the connections and officials pose with the trophy and winner’s banner after the trophy presentation for the Hong Kong Sprint. Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “Ka Ying Rising had tremendous competition from another Hong Kong horses (Victor The Winner), which disrupted his rhythm, but he is an amazing sprinter.”

Left: Second place finisher Helios Express heads out to the track before the race. Jockey Hugh Bowman said, “He ran up to expectations. I was delighted with him.”

Right: Third place finisher Satono Reve on Wednesday morning. Jockey Joao Moreira said, “He ran fantastic. He got beaten by just two good local horses. He hit the line very strongly but he just wasn’t good enough to beat them but I was very happy with the run.”

For more info:

• Romantic Warrior wins the 2024 Longines Hong Kong Cup – At Sha Tin on Sunday, favorite Romantic Warrior won the Longines Hong Kong Cup for the third year in a row, over Liberty Island with Tastiera third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
• Giavellotto victorious in the 2024 Longines Hong Kong Vase – British trained Giavellotto rallied past Dubai Honour to win the Longines Hong Kong Vase with favorite Stellenbosch third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
• Voyage Bubble takes the 2024 Longines Hong Kong Mile – Local hero Voyage Bubble defeated Soul ush by 1 1/4 a lengths to win the Longines Hong Kong Mile with Beauty Joy third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
• Ka Ying Rising wins the 2024 Longines Hong Kong Sprint – Heavy favorite Ka Ying Rising held off Helios Express to win the Longines Hong Kong Sprint with Satono Reve third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.

• 2024 Longines International Jockeys’ Championship – French jockey Mickael Barzalona was the winner
• 2024 Workout photos from Wednesday – includes 8 of the horses for the four big races
• Free 2024 Form Guide – past performances for all four races
• 2024 Longines Hong Kong International Races – official site
• Hong Kong Jockey Club
• 2023 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2022 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2021 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2020 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2019 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2018 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2017 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2016 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2015 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2014 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2013 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2012 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2011 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2010 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2009 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2008 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2007 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos
• 2006 Hong Kong International Races – results and photos

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