Champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising prolonged his victorious sequence during Sunday’s Champions Sprint in Hong Kong, and this coming Saturday his previous travel partner is set to initiate a new streak of his own.
Ka Ying Cheer aims to recover after suffering his initial Australian setback when he competes at Bendigo.
The ex-Hong Kong sprinter is nominated in two benchmark 84 races, one at 1100m and the other at 1300m, with the chosen event being his initial outing since placing sixth at Caulfield on April 11, snapping a trio of successive triumphs.
Having secured an 1100m Class 1 at Pakenham on February 5 for his Australian introduction, the six-year-old claimed a benchmark 66 over 1100m at Seymour on February 20 prior to notching a 1200m benchmark 78 success at Caulfield on March 21.
Ka Ying Cheer belongs to Leung Shek-Kong, the same owner as Ka Ying Rising, and he accompanied the globe’s top sprinter during quarantine before last year’s The Everest, subsequently staying in Australia to join Lindsay Park.
Ben Hayes noted that the horse has proven an excellent inclusion in his stable, run alongside brothers Will and JD, and although recognizing the standards rose in his early Australian tenure, he considers Saturday’s assignment appropriate at this preparation juncture.
“I think he will bounce back,” Hayes said.
“He managed to win three in a row and kind of just got to his grade, but he’s working nicely going into it.
“He didn’t run badly (last start), but he just needs things to go right.
“He’s deep into his prep now and he has won three in a row and he’s up to good city class races. That’s probably where he’s at from now on.”
Ka Ying Cheer will have two stablemates nominated in each of his potential races, including Stoli Bolli for both distances, while fellow former Hong Kong horse Nervous Witness targets the 1100m and Laa De Shaa may contest the 1300m.
The Bendigo program is topped by the Golden Mile (1600m), featuring entries like Von Hauke, Osipenko and Hughes, plus the Bendigo Guineas, both $200,000 Listed contests.
Explore the top racing odds for the Golden Mile among leading Australian betting sites.