Ka Ying Rising is the undisputed star of Hong Kong sprinting and looms as the horse to beat once again in Sunday’s Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. But Japanese raider Satono Reve could be the surprise package, with Joao Moreira quietly optimistic about his mount’s chances.
The pair last clashed in December’s Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), where Ka Ying Rising took the honours and Satono Reve finished third under Moreira.
On Sunday, Satono Reve jumps from barrier six with Ka Ying Rising drawn slightly inside in four, giving the Japanese sprinter a chance to find clear running.
“I am happy because he is a big horse and he needs space,” Moreira said. “It seems like the real pace will come from the inside and two wider so it is a good draw, I guess.”
The lightly raced six-year-old, a son of Lord Kanaloa, arrives in top form after securing his maiden Group 1 win in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo last month, earning a Racing and Sports rating of 123.
“He’s a bloody good horse and he could be one to cause an upset here,” Moreira said. “However, Ka Ying Rising deserves all the respect we give him and is one of the best the world has, but I’m happy to take the reins of Satono Reve and hopefully things work out.
“He has the experience of having been here before and I’m hoping he can go a little better. He finished less than a length away from Ka Ying Rising in December so he doesn’t need to improve that much to finish the race side-by-side.”
Sunday’s meeting could be a big one for Moreira, who also partners Changcheng Glory in the Champions Mile (1600m) and Moments In Time in the QE II Cup (2000m).