Trainer David Hayes expressed confidence that a potentially wet track will not affect Ka Ying Rising’s bid for a record 20th consecutive victory in Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200 meters) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Hong Kong Observatory forecast showers and thunderstorms through the end of the week, with conditions expected to improve by race day. Despite the unsettled weather, Hayes emphasized the versatility of Ka Ying Rising, who excelled on yielding ground during his win in the 2024 Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup and has handled wet conditions previously at Sha Tin.

“I’ve run him a couple times here in the wet, and one time he nearly ran a track record,” Hayes noted. He also highlighted that although the track was officially rated "good" at the start of this season’s Chief Executive’s Cup, heavy rain impacted the race, a scenario Ka Ying Rising managed with ease.

Concerns had been raised by champion jockey Zac Purton about Ka Ying Rising’s ability to perform on a wet track in Australia, specifically at Randwick in the Group One The Everest later this year. However, Hayes pointed out that the nature of wet tracks in Hong Kong differs significantly from those in Australia, asserting that the potential for wet conditions in Sha Tin presents less of an issue.

The reigning champion will face seven rivals on Sunday, including Japan’s Satono Reve, Ireland’s Comanche Brave, and local contenders Helios Express, Fast Network, Raging Blizzard, Beauty Waves, and Tomodachi Kokokore, also trained by Hayes. Preparations have included a sharp turf gallop last Thursday, with light workouts planned for the remainder of the week.

Hayes will also have a runner in Sunday’s Group One QEII Cup (2,000 meters), with Rubylot set to be ridden by Hugh Bowman. The trainer expressed hope that Rubylot’s upcoming run would serve as a valuable lead-up to the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400 meters) scheduled one week later.

Several international contenders participating in the FWD Champions Day meeting continued their acclimatization with light exercise on Sha Tin’s dirt track and trotting ring. Among them, French contender Sosie, winner of last year’s Group One Hong Kong Vase, completed a slow canter shortly after arriving in the city. His traveling head lad, Richard Lambert, reported that Sosie adapted well to the conditions and remains in good shape.

Japan’s Satono Reve, a key rival to Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, was also given light work in the trotting ring. Assistant trainer Ryusuke Saito noted the adjustments made to accommodate the hotter and more humid climate in Hong Kong compared to Japan. Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira is scheduled to ride Satono Reve in the sprint event.

The Group One races on Sunday mark one of the highlights of the Hong Kong racing calendar, drawing strong international competition and interviews on track conditions as weather forecasts remain in flux ahead of the meeting.