Ka Ying Attack scores impressive Class 2 victory

David Hall hopes Ka Ying Attack (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) can continue an impressive rise through the grades next season after the four-year-old clinched the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday (1 July).

Ridden by Matthew Poon, the gelding earned a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million after leading throughout from barrier 10 to defeat Beauty Bolt (Night Of Thunder) by a length-and-a-half with Regal Gem (Zousatr) third in a slick 1m 20.78s.

Making it two victories in a row, the Too Darn Hot gelding impressed Hall with a dominant performance.

“He's been running well all season, but his last start was probably a personal best. I think if there was any concern today, it was whether he could repeat it again – and he certainly did,” Hall said. “He did it in spades, he was very good. A little bit of pressure early, took control in the fast-run race – but maintained his gallop – and he was quite impressive.

“I think he really enjoys the fast track, there's no question about that. He never looks that brilliant in his trials on the all-weather and then race day he seems to take it to another level. So, I think he's a horse that really loves the Hong Kong surface and the race pattern.

“When they can dictate and control, sit up on a fast-pace and kick, they're going to win a lot of races in Hong Kong. He's going to have to keep improving, he's going to have to step up again. But he's got a great race pattern, puts himself in a good position, and he's probably a bit flexible with his distances. Let's hope there's still a little bit more left.”

Poon said: “Going up to Class 2 with a little weight was always going to be a benefit. We know he (Ka Ying Attack) loves to roll along – and with a light weight, even better – so we were confident he could run well in Class 2, but with barrier 10, we couldn’t be that confident.

“He was able to win and hopefully next season, he will be even better and stronger and he will still be very competitive in Class 2. He’s tough, he breathes so well, he has a nice action and good heart, so I believed he could do it with 115lb. It just depended at the start on how much energy I had to spend from barrier 10.”

Ka Ying Attack won a trial in New Zealand for Taranaki trainer Alan Sharrock under the name Too Darn Cool before making the move to Hong Kong.