[close]

With contacts from around the world, Racing and Sports provides something no other website can - information and form prior to a race with news and views after a race. This is both written, audio and visual. As a result, our appeal is unmatched.

As the most sought after tool for your international racing and punting needs, Racing and Sports has dedicated coverage in various sections to help you navigate the global sport.

We have Singapore/Malaysia, UK/Ireland/Europe, Hong Kong/Macau, South Africa, Japan, USA plus other international jurisdictions.

Stick with Racing and Sports for everything you need to know in the racing game.

Hong Kong Racing

Ka Ying Rising's focus at home and The Everest

Trainer David Hayes dismissed speculation Ka Ying Rising could compete at England’s famous Royal Ascot carnival this year as he concentrates on setting the champion to defend his Hong Kong sprint triple crown and The Everest titles.

The Everest, won by Ka Ying Rising, set a new record for World Pool turnover on a single race.
The Everest, won by Ka Ying Rising, set a new record for World Pool turnover on a single race. Picture: HKJC
Ka Ying Rising, winner of 17 races in succession, is a real drawcard and is at the top of the wish-list for every major racing jurisdiction but Hayes told Racing And Sports he has ruled out any international travel in 2026 for the world's best sprinter until the Sydney spring carnival.

"I would have gone to Royal Ascot with a horse like this if there wasn't an Everest involved,'' Hayes said. "The Everest is too big a race. 

"We have planned to give him eight runs this year including a Sydney trip so how long is a piece of string? I need to look after him because I hope he can continue to race at the top level for another two or three years.

"Maybe after a couple of Everests we might think about going to Royal Ascot but at the moment we are staying with the plan to give him three more runs in Hong Kong this season then prepare for Sydney and The Everest again.''

Although Hayes has virtually locked in Ka Ying Rising's race preparation for 2026 this still won't prevent Royal Ascot's international equine recruiter Nick Smith from at least trying to persuade the horse's connections to consider England in June although it would seem a futile exercise.

"I'll talk to the 'KYR' team but they have made their plans pretty clear,'' Smith conceded. "Maybe we'll get something from Hong Kong trying to avoid him!"

David Hayes celebrates the success of Ka Ying Rising.
David Hayes celebrates the success of Ka Ying Rising. Picture: Race Images Photo
The most likely Hong Kong sprinter Smith will target is Helios Express, who has been runner-up six times to the mighty Ka Ying Rising.

But John Size, trainer of Helios Express, has ruled out taking his sprinter to Royal Ascot or even to the Sydney autumn carnival.

Smith has revealed he won't be at Flemington for the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 14 as he's attending the Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh which coincides with the running of the world's richest race, the Saudi Cup.

But Smith said he plans to be in Sydney for Day One of The Championships which features the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick where he hopes to lock in some Australian sprinters for Royal Ascot in June.

Meanwhile, Ka Ying Rising claimed the first leg of the Hong Kong sprint triple crown with his facile win in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup late last month and will race next in the Group 1 Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on February 22.

The final leg of the triple crown is the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on April 26 and Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising will have a lead-up run in the Group 2 Sprint Cup three weeks earlier, the same program the sprinter had when he completed a Hong Kong triple crown clean sweep last year.


Racing and Sports
Check out the latest Sydney News