Four weeks after demolishing quality opposition in Class 2, Ka Ying Rising (115lb) is back at Sha Tin for his stiffest test to date in Sunday’s (2 June) HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m).

The second of a Group 3 double-header at Sha Tin, which also features the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m), the quality dash is topped by a pair of Group 1 winners in Victor The Winner (135lb) and Invincible Sage (129lb), while Ka Ying Rising has the least experience in the nine-runner field with six starts under his belt.

Trained by David Hayes and to be ridden by Karis Teetan, the budding three-year-old – who has won four times at Sha Tin – is aiming to outshine a host of better credentialed rivals, including Sight Success (128lb), Stoltz (124lb), Flying Ace (117lb), Howdeepisyourlove (117lb), Mugen (115lb) and Son Pak Fu (115lb).

“I think Ka Ying Rising has very good form references going forward. He’s taking on international Group 1 winners, so we’ll see how good he is,” Hayes said.

The rapidly improving Ka Ying Rising has surged through the grades. Two starts ago he safely held subsequent winner Call Me Glorious by more than a length in March.

“He’s eaten up and held his form and it was good to see that good young horse he beat (Call Me Glorious) win, beating Little Brose at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 May). I thought he was one of the most progressive horses on the weekend,” Hayes said.

Ka Ying Rising’s 96 rating is dwarfed in the race book as only he and Son Pak Fu rate below triple figures.

“He’s on the minimum but he is still racing probably seven or eight pounds out of the handicap. We’re pretty confident he can run in the upper-class next season so we don’t mind sacrificing a ratings race at this stage of his career,” Hayes said.

Hugh Bowman reunites with the David Hall-trained Invincible Sage in the Sha Tin Vase. The pair claimed the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day (28 April).

“He looks to be ticking over nicely leading into the race after his Group 1 win. He’s obviously progressed to that next level and we would like to see him consolidate that on the weekend,” Bowman said.

Hayes also saddles Storm Rider, Awesome Treasure, Young Horizon, Chiron and Sunny Baby on Sunday at Sha Tin.

After winning two out of his first three starts, Storm Rider has since been unplaced twice. He’ll feature in the Class 3 Kau To Shan Handicap (1400m) with Teetan up. 

Sunday’s (2 June) 11-race fixture commences at 4pm with the Class 5 Sha Tin Hoi Handicap (2000m). The running of the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) takes place at 2.40pm (HKT), live from Tokyo, featuring Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble.