Hayes rates the biggest dangers to Ka Ying Rising in Chairman’s Sprint Prize

David Hayes expects foreign challenger Satono Reve and local hope Helios Express to offer the biggest dangers to champion galloper Ka Ying Rising in Sunday’s HK$24 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin.

Both have had their chances in previous contests – and failed – but Hayes is taking nothing for granted.

After a last-start victory in the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m), Hayes said Satono Reve, who will be ridden by Joao Moreira, is a special sprinter.

“Satono Reve is very impressive,” Hayes said. “He is a champion and always has to be respected, and that’s his positive.

“His negative is that he has tried three times and hasn’t been able to beat him (Ka Ying Rising), but it does not mean he has not come back the best. He is probably in the best form he has been since coming here.”

Hayes said John Size-trained Helios Express, second to Ka Ying Rising eight times, always has to be respected.

“He is a very, very good horse,” Hayes said. “But having said all that, if the market is true to form, we’ll be at $1.01, and they’ll probably be 40/1 or 50/1.