MOREIRA IS HERE TO TRY AND SPOIL THE KA YING RISING PARTY. HE MIGHT NEED A BIT OF MAGIC TO DO THAT

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 24, 2025

Ka Ying Rising the Hong Kong sprinting superstar is looking to complete a jaw dropping 12 consecutive wins this weekend.

The world’s best sprinter drew barrier 4 at the Sha Tin course on Thursday morning for the HK22 Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint, but the Japanese have declared war on the Hong Kong champion, sending four runners to take him on at his home track on Sunday.

The Japanese are not shy in coming forward and saying they are here to win and to defy the recent Hong Kong dominance that has seen the race won by local runners for the past eight years. The previous foreign winner was the Australian sprinter Chautauqua in 2016.

Satono Reve was ridden on the course proper prior to the barrier draw by race jockey Joao ‘The Magic Man’ Moreira. Satono Reve galloped for 800m on turf clocking 53.6s (27.9 25.7) for the 800m.

“Today’s gallop wasn’t about time, but rather about checking the horse’s overall feel and condition,” reported Moreira. “He went very well. He gave me the feel that he is a hundred percent.

“He is healthy and was kicking around. He gave me a hard time to keep him together because he just wanted to go a little bit hard. Fortunately, I was able to get him to be calm and relaxed.

“His footwork, rhythm, and eagerness to run were all very good, and he’s in great shape. I couldn’t be happier with him to be honest. We’re looking forward to taking on strong competition this Sunday.

“We have got to go in with some faith you know (when coming up against Ka Ying Rising).

Later, at the official barrier draw at Sha Tin, the connections drew barrier 6.

The six-year-old gelding comes off a strong win in the Group Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) Group 1 in Tokyo. That was his first run since finishing third to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) Sprint at Sha Tin in December.

Moreira reflected on the race in December and said “I think he was unready for that run. I think the horse is more mature and his experience of coming here (Hong Kong) … this should make a difference”.

“He is a bloody good horse and could be one of those causing an upset here. However, Ka Ying Rising deserves all the respect. He has done so well and is one of the best sprinters in the world, if not the best,” said Moreira.

Moreira is hopeful that the experience in the HKIR will see his horse cause an upset in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

“I am here to win,” concluded Moreira.

With many feature wins in Hong Kong and around the world to his credit – can the ‘Magic Man’ pull a rabbit out of his hat and cause an upset in this feature race.

Clearly, the battle lines have been drawn.

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