By Declan Schuster
The HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) will be the first Group race run over the distance this season without the brilliant Ka Ying Rising lining up, leaving several of his regular adversaries, including Frankie Lor’s Lucky With You, eager to capitalise on a rare opportunity in his absence on Saturday afternoon (31 May) at Sha Tin.
Ka Ying Rising is the world’s highest-rated sprinter and winner of the 2024 Sha Tin Vase. The dominant force has brushed off all comers in 2024/25 – undefeated across eight appearances by no less than half a length – and won four Group 1 races. David Hayes’ star is currently spelling at Conghua ahead of a planned two-run campaign in Sydney, Australia.
Hayes said: “He’s (Ka Ying Rising) been holidaying and going out into the paddock every day. He starts trotting in the trotting ring next week in his preparation to peak in October.”
Instead, 11 runners hold entries in Saturday’s sprint. Artie Schiller gelding Lucky With You, a dual Group 1 runner-up, is seeking his biggest scalp this weekend after returning two Class 1 victories already in 2024/25. In the midst of a personal-best term in Hong Kong with 41 wins after 74 fixtures, Luke Ferraris takes the reins again on the seven-year-old galloper.
Ferraris said: “His last trial was good. He’s going to need the rain to stay away. It’s a bit of an easier race without Ka Ying Rising in there but at the same time he’s still taking on Helios Express, so if he can get a nice trail in the run behind the speed then there’s no reason why he can’t reproduce his Class 1 form. He does have that turn of foot that makes him good. If he can have everything go his way and lob in just behind the speed then he should be there.”
Ferraris, 23, is a rising star of the jockey’s room in Hong Kong. He is the son of former Hong Kong-based trainer David Ferraris, who campaigned champion Vengeance Of Rain.
“The support has been great and it’s been good to capitalise on that. I’m hoping to continue it through to the end of the season and see what we can get to,” Ferraris said.
Second to Ka Ying Rising five times this season, including in three Group 1 races, Helios Express is chasing a first win since March, 2024 in Saturday’s Sha Tin Vase, which also features Lucky Sweynesse, who is having his second start in 2024/25 following setbacks.
Ferraris also rides Chancheng Glory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. Second by a nose in this race last year, Chancheng Glory won January’s HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin – his biggest success to date.
“He doesn’t give much away in his morning work. But in saying that, his form speaks for itself. He’s a competitive horse and he’s an honest horse. If he can get the race run to suit and find a nice spot somewhere in the run then he should run another honest race,” Ferraris said.
More immediately, Ferraris seeks consecutive wins aboard Hayes’ Chateauneuf at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (28 May) in the Class 3 Seine Handicap (1200m).
“He got a beautiful run from an inside gate (last start). This time he has a wide gate and top-weight, but his trackwork suggests he’s held his form and in his last couple of starts he’s been a very fast beginner,” Hayes said. “If he shows that gate speed of his last two runs then (barrier) 11 might not be as bad as it looks.”
Second in Sunday’s (25 May) HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m), four-year-old Rubylot will now enjoy a break before resuming in 2025/26.
Hayes said: “It was a good effort to run second to a champion (Voyage Bubble). We’ll put him away now for a well-deserved rest and he’ll be ready to go at the start of next season.”
Karis Teetan shoots for another win with Management Folks in the Class 4 Loire Handicap (2200m) tomorrow night at the Valley, saying: “He’s a horse that always tries his best. He’s been running well lately and it was good to get the win with him a couple of starts ago.”
My Day My Way continues to develop. Jerry Chau pairs with Danny Shum’s charge in the second section of the Class 4 Ciron Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday evening.
“He is getting better after the short break. He’s looking good now and I trialled him last week and he’s doing good. He keeps improving and he’s an up-and-coming horse,” Chau said.
Wednesday night’s (28 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the second section of the Class 5 Dordogne Handicap (1200m).