Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham previews Wednesday's card at Happy Valley and reflects on Ka Ying Rising's barrier trial defeat.
Rising gets a pass as Purton prays for a dry spell
Ka Ying Rising CRUISES in his final hit out before the TAB Everest on 17 October 🏔️
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2026
Ninja crosses the finish line first in the barrier trial at Royal Randwick.@tabcomau @racing_nsw @HKJC_Racing pic.twitter.com/ATXpwerdzN
How much should we read into a barrier trial?
David Hayes was happy to give KA YING RISING a “pass mark, but not exciting” after his Tuesday morning workout, while Zac Purton is hoping “the sun comes out and stays out” after the HK superstar finished a clear second on a rain-affected Randwick track.
Purton wasn’t hard on Ka Ying Rising once dual G2 winner Ninja edged ahead of him and the world’s highest rated horse remains a 1.3 favourite to repeat last year’s win in The Everest back at Randwick a week on Saturday.
But Purton’s view that KYR is at his very best on “a hard, fast deck” is worth noting ahead of the October 17th showdown.
If the HK superstar reproduces his peak rating of 135, then the rest are playing for places.
But last year’s Everest runner-up Tempted is unbeaten in five over the last year - and the way Ciaron Maher’s thrashed a smart field at Randwick on Saturday suggests that the world’s richest turf race might just be more than a one-act affair if the rain keeps falling.
Purton is back in HK for Happy Valley’s midweek card on Wednesday, and the last three of his six rides have plenty to recommend them.
SUPERB KING has been costly to follow in 2026, going close without winning on several occasions, but he’s looked a little unlucky on his two starts this term, enduring a tough trip from a wide draw on his reappearance then missing the break when third behind the bang-in-form Jumbo Blessing two weeks ago.
Georgian Sigma reopposes after a good second that day, but Superb King has Purton first time now and, granted a better break, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Cup at 13:40 provides a clear chance for him to break his duck.
The rematch angle plays strongly again in the Hing Fat Handicap at 15:15 as Pope Cody as Dazzling Fit return to the Valley after finishing first and second in a similar event over course and distance last month.
Pope Cody had the edge when the pair met in the Derby back in March and did so again three weeks ago, sustaining a strong run out wide to score by three parts of a length.
But Dazzling Fit has a 6lb pull this time. Add in the fact that the in-form David Eustace seems likely to squeeze a bit more improvement out of him and his chances of reversing the form and going one better look clear to see.
Purton’s former riding nemesis Douglas Whyte was delighted with the way that Live Wire asserted in a recent Class 4 at the Valley and reports that “Zac likes him – he’s given us good feedback about him.”
So why is the Aussie aboard AURIO in the nightcap at 15:50?
Perhaps the champion had a prior commitment to Manfred Man’s gelding in the valuable Class 3, but maybe it’s just because he feels Aurio is ready to peak again.
Either way, Aurio caught the eye on his reappearance, coming home strongly from the rear to chase home two improvers, and the likelihood of a stronger pace from the off this time should make him hard to keep out of the money again.
Purton doesn’t have a ride in the 14:45 - another Class 3 dash that looks tough to solve for win purposes – but a core of four appeal as solid Quinella candidates.
Flying Wrote ran well on his reappearance and has Nichola Yuen’s valuable 7lb claim for the first time as he bids to end a frustrating spell for Tony Cruz, while Target Audience thrived last season and looked sharp in a recent trial.
Power Koepp is much better than he showed when blowing the start last time, while Daryl Flash showed his turn is near when charging home for second on his reappearance and is another with definite Quinella potential.
Wednesday’s Valley Views
1.40: Superb King
2.45: Quinella combining 2, 5, 6 and 11
3.15: Dazzling Fit
3.50: Aurio (EW)
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