The Everest is next after Hong Kong’s champion Ka Ying Rising made light work of them in another stunning performance in the Group I Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
It was the first time he’d tackled international competition, with three Japanese among the field but it mattered for little.
As usual Ka Ying Rising was fast from the gate but Zac Purton was happy to let a group of speedsters go, settling behind the pace.
There was certainly no appetite to find the fence when the opportunity was there and as soon as an opportunity arose to shift three wide into clear running, Purton took it.
He loomed immediately into the straight and when asked to extend put them away iin a stride, going on to beat Japan’s Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa ) by 2.3 lengths with Helios Express (Toronado) third.
“Every time he comes out here, he produces something special, and he did that again today, and he didn't even change his leg,” said Purton.
“He puts them away very quickly.
“He's getting better and better. He can have a break now and the next one's the big one.”
TAB.com firmed him into even money favourite for The Everest, to be run at Randwick on October 14.
It’s the 13th win from 15 starts with earnings of $HK50million for Ka Ying Rising, the first, and only winner for Missy Moo who died in 2022.
She was a five-time winning Per Incanto (USA) mare and part of one of the most iconic families in the NZ Studbook, and one not noted for sprinting prowess.
She traces directly back to blue hen Taiona, the dam of Champion 3YO and Vic Derby winner Sovereign Red, Melbourne Cup winner Gurner’s Lane, with the family also featuring Mr Brightside.
He is the best of 14 stakes winners for Shamexpress who is set to stand the 2025 season at New Zealand’s Windsor Park Stud at a fee of $20,000.
