Is barrier one a blessing or a trap? Purton unfazed by inside draw as Ka Ying Rising chases history

Barrier one over Sha Tin's 1,200 meter course can be a blessing in theory and a trap in reality.

In 19 editions of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint over 1,200m at Sha Tin, only one horse has won from the inside draw. The sharp run to the first bend can punish even the slightest hesitation and when Ka Ying Rising drew one at yesterday's barrier draw, the fear from many was clear: a champion with a target on his back, cluttered behind a slowing rival and unable to break free when it matters.

Hong Kong's eight-time champion jockey Zac Purton, though, won’t be losing sleep ahead of riding a horse that is likely to start at the Jockey Club’s minimum price of $1.05 on Sunday.

“He’s never drawn a good gate in a big race here in Hong Kong. I think it is a great barrier for him,” Purton said. “I’ll see how the race unfolds but he’s going to show his speed and we’ll work out as we go. I’d be happy to lead. I’d be happy to take a trail. I’d be happy to sit outside and then lead. Whatever is happening and how it presents, I’ll work out at the time.

“He’s got enough speed to lead comfortably. And if something else wants to go fast, wants to take you on, they’re going to have to go very fast.”

Trainer David Hayes echoed the calm.

“We’ve just got to jump fast and we’ll either take a seat or lead if Zac’s not happy with the pace,” he said. “I leave Zac to it. Hopefully he gets a trouble-free run. You can get boxed in from stall one but I don’t think he will.”

Ka Ying Rising will attempt to stretch his winning streak to 16 as Purton chases a fourth Sprint title after wins aboard Aerovelocity (2014, 2016) and last year on Ka Ying Rising. He is the only jockey to win all of the HKIR features at least twice.

Purton’s only other G1 ride on Sunday is Voyage Bubble in the Mile, but gate 12 makes life complicated, especially with key locals My Wish (barrier two) and Galaxy Patch (five) landing ideal positions.

“It’s an awkward day for him… he’s going to need a little bit of luck in the first 400 metres,” Purton said. “He needs the gap to present for him but that’s the card he has been dealt.”

Sunday’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, worth HK$130 million across four Group 1s, are headlined by Romantic Warrior’s bid for a record fourth consecutive Hong Kong Cup. Barrier two pleased trainer Danny Shum, who has complete faith in his champion jockey James McDonald: “Seven runners, it doesn’t matter… he has options,” Shum said. “I trust James McDonald.”