There is little more David Hayes can add about Ka Ying Rising, so he is instead pointing to the market, where the star sprinter could start as short as $1.05 with Australian betting sites.

The world’s top sprinter skipped trackwork at Sha Tin on Wednesday for a swim, an apt reflection of how smoothly his preparation is going ahead of his bid for a 16th consecutive win and back-to-back Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) victories.

Hayes believes the five-year-old has improved again, even before his first-up Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint win on October 23.

“We thought leading into the lead-up race that he had improved after the trip to Australia and I think his form will prove that,” Hayes said.

“I thought that visually what was his best win and his work since has been good.

“He’s in great shape.”

Hayes said the gelding’s recent course-proper gallop was his best yet, not for time but for how fluently he worked.

He also points to the overwhelming market support as proof of confidence.

“There were a lot of people doubting him (in Sydney) and thinking that the Hong Kong form wouldn’t stack up,” Hayes said.

“I really wanted to have him perform well and get the ‘told you so’.

“This time is an unusual feeling. He will probably start $1.00 this weekend and the second favourite will probably be 25-1.

“In an international group one, I think the market tells you that he is very special and the market is a good guide when it is that extreme.”

Hayes will also start last-start beaten favourite Akashvani at Happy Valley on Wednesday night in the International Jockeys’ Challenge, with James McDonald to ride.

“He didn’t have the best of luck last start,” he said.

“He got squeezed out and got laid on in the straight and was only beaten a half-neck.”