“He’s in a league of his own,” Zac Purton opined about Ka Ying Rising, the Hong Kong champion with a strong down-under component, who makes it very much the Year Of The Horse with Autumn Glow in pursuit, if still distant, at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
New Zealand bred, Aussie trained by David Hayes and ridden by our Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising notched his 18th consecutive success over the Sha Tin 1400 metres on Sunday, and “obliterated the track record”, according to Dan O’Sullivan’s “Inside Running”.
“We’ve known for some time that he’s world-class, but he’s now building a generational legacy that will be remembered long after this current era of racing,” O’Sullivan maintained on performance rating figures.
Despite a strong performance Ka Ying Rising was not at his best for The Everest at Royal Randwick which prompts the Purton point that he doesn’t get the deserved acclaim in Australia.
Ka Ying Rising is by Shamexpress who is still advertised standing at Windsor Park for $20,000 plus GST, dim sum at a sip and spew compared to the sumptuous price paid for more fashionable stallions. At the last count the gelding had earned $24,110,383.
Autumn Glow, though, may not get the champion rating but is on the way due to the expertise of Chris Waller and under James McDonald who does.
Alas this week J-Mac is relegated from the “c” seat to the naughty chair, while Autumn Glow is chasing a 10 straight in the Verry Elleegant Stakes.
Under the previous tag of Chipping Norton Stakes, time honoured, and the once best event at Warwick Farm, dates back to 1925 with champions, including Phar Lap, ridden usually by Jim Pike, a big hoop, on the honour roll.
It was a grind for Pike to stay active. On Wednesday J-Mac was outed for three meetings until March 7, pleading guilty to being a kilo overweight on Almaaz at Rosehill Gardens, unfortunately beaten a short half head.
Almaaz carried 56.5kg, began slow and lodged an unsuccessful protest after interference over the latter stages. Obviously Almaaz should have won. In length terms a kilo is at least half length.
After seeing agony created to many in the past I promote the cause for healthy jockeys. George Moore, a champion, often looked like a war crime, fresh out of Changi, when he had to be light. Lean and hungry he rode great.
Limits have been raised so hoops can be heavier. I am delighted Nash Rawiller is still in action. He would not have been 25 years ago.
J-Mac was carrying excess on Wednesday but I am thankful he is prime for Autumn Glow, out to maintain the mares prominence for Waller in the weight-for-age event.
Yes, Waller’s mares were great but surely a testimony of his skill. Autumn Glow, promises to be another. “Can’t be beaten” was attributed to her by Racenet for Saturday. On paper perhaps but when that claim is often made, fate takes a hand. It’s a strong field.
Given a reasonable surface Lindermann is no pushover at his second start after a spell, Aeliana top class and Sir Delius could be real good. Ceolwulf is an outstanding miler but how did the recent bleeding scare affect him? Watch and enjoy Autumn Glow. I’ll take her in the quadrella with Aeliana.
Similar advice could be given regarding Tempted ($1.65) in the Surround Stakes although she may not be as effective over Saturday’s 1400 metres over shorter distances.
Thus Flemington’s Australian Guineas is a Group sprint without the odds-on blight. Victoria Derby winner, Observer ($2.20) was impressive winning over the Caulfield 1400 metres recently in the Autumn Stakes, because it was unsuitably short, but his stats were not flash.
However major rival Sixties, from the Waller string, out classed opposition in a weaker event but did it with authority, triggering the X factor light.
While Waller has dominated the Verry Elleegant, the Australian Guineas has not been a happy hunting ground – nine starters and one placing.
Sixties, though, rang a bell. From the outside gate (10) it’s going to test navigator Damian Lane. That’s the gamble.
Not in the Ka Ying Rising and Purton league, but racing to savour.
Great stuff Max. Where do you rate KYR among the great Australian sprinters ?
Good luck to your Bunnies this year.
Great tipping with the colt as well.
Andrew,
KYR is great but as yet a little far removed for me to get that champion feeling. Yes, he did win The Everest at Randwick was not at his best. I look forward to his return here to experience whether he is up with Winx and Black Caviar. The Bunnies? With a normal run of injuries, not the disaster of last season, I am hopeful of the top four.
Cheers
Max P