Ka Ying Rising cemented his status as the world’s best sprinter by extending his winning run to 20 with victory in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin.
Despite not being asked for everything by his regular partner Zac Purton, the local superstar again broke the track record at the Hong Kong circuit as he came home four and a quarter lengths clear of his toiling rivals. Multiple Japanese Group One winner and Royal Ascot runner-up Satono Reve best of the rest in second and Donnacha O'Brien's Irish raider Comanche Brave fifth of the eight runners.
The David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising was completing the Hong Kong Speed Series for a second year in a row after previously coming out on top in the Centenary Sprint Cup and Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup.
Hayes, who confirmed he will now give his charge a break before preparing him to defend his title in The Everest in Australia in October, said: "You tend to worry that you are going to let everyone down. He doesn't, does he? In the year of the horse, he is now one of the all-time greats, I think. The way he is running times and rating so incredibly well.
"A long time ago I thought he might have been the best horse I trained and about a year ago I thought he was definitely the best horse I trained. Now I think he is one of the best horses I have ever seen."
Another Hong Kong great Romantic Warrior timed his challenge to perfection to win the FWD QEII Cup for a fourth time.
Held in the pack by James McDonald, he started to make headway a furlong and a half out and quickly took control, winning eased down by a length.
Masquerade Ball, who has only beaten a head by Calandagan in the Japan Cup, stayed on well to take second, with Andre Fabre's Sosie one and quarter lengths further back in third ahead of Karl Burke's Royal Champion in fourth.
Harry Eustace's Docklands did not disgrace himself as he stayed on well to take third in the middle of the three Group Ones on the card, the FWD Champions Mile.
The race started to take shape a furlong out as My Wish came out of the pack to lay down the challenge, with Docklands following him through.
My Wish held on to edge out the fast-finishing Cap Ferrat, who headed Dockland close home to hold him off by half a length.
Docklands' jockey Mark Zahra said: "He ran super. He settled back nice and comfy off - not a hectic speed, but he got the split at the right time, and credit to him for running third."
