Zac Purton has heaped praise on Hong Kong sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising, suggesting the star galloper could enter “Black Caviar territory” this season.
The unbeaten five-year-old, who boasts 12 straight wins including four at Group 1 level, is the early favourite for October’s $20 million The Everest in Sydney.
He returns in September’s Chief Executive Cup, a race he won comfortably last year.
“Although it’s not going to be the ideal preparation… hopefully we can get there in good enough form,” Purton told racing.com.
“If he does (improve), he starts to get himself up into the Black Caviar territory and that’d be amazing.”
Purton has been named an inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, but will miss the August 31 ceremony in Brisbane to oversee Ka Ying Rising’s prep at the Hong Kong Owners’ Carnival.
“It’s probably more important that I’m here… the world’s best sprinter probably comes first,” he said.
