Fast Network waits on Al Quoz invite as Yip avoids Ka Ying Rising clash and lines up Purton

Trainer Dennis Yip Chor-hong is still sweating on an invitation for Fast Network after opting against his stable star clashing with Ka Ying Rising in the sprinter’s next start, the G1 Queen’s Silver Cup over 1400 meters on February 22.

Yip said Zac Purton is his rider if Fast Network is cleared to run in the US$1.5 million G1 Al Quoz Sprint over 1200 meters at Meydan on March 28, but he is still waiting for official word from Dubai World Cup organizers.

“That is what we would like to do but I am waiting for an official invite,” Yip said on Sunday. “And if we can get an invite I want Zac to ride.”

Fast Network has won four of 17 Hong Kong starts and climbed to a rating of 115, but has had to chase Ka Ying Rising home at his past three starts. The world’s highest-rated sprinter has extended his winning streak to 17 and will try to break the long-standing record for most consecutive wins by a Hong Kong horse, held by Silent Witness, on February 23.

Yip believes the straight-course dash at Meydan would suit Fast Network.

“The horse is good and I think he is good enough to compete there,” he said.

Ka Ying Rising was one of 10 entries announced yesterday for the HK$13 million Queen’s Silver Jubilee.