Ka Ying Rising looked like his devastating self when he breezed effortlessly through a barrier trial at Sha Tin last Friday as he prepares for Australia’s richest turf race.

The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year powered 14 and a quarter lengths clear in a time of 59.26 seconds (1,050m) as he gets ready to kick off his campaign in the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin’s season opener on September 7.

Following his local return, Ka Ying Rising will head to Australia to compete in the HK$100.34 million Group One The Everest (1,200m) on October 18.

“He’s not fit, so he’s not going to feel at his best at the moment. He needed the trial and he’s going to improve from it. He was feeling it, which is good. Now he’s got to improve,” said Purton.

“We just wanted to see him come back nice and he’s done that. So that’s a first step. It’s a long way to go.”

There will be trials at Sha Tin on Saturday ahead of the new season, which will provide further key pointers, and Ka Ying Rising is expected to trial again.

Lucky Sweynesse going abroad

Manfred Man Ka-leung also watched Lucky Sweynesse tune up for an assignment abroad when he worked under Derek Leung Ka-chun at Sha Tin on the same day.

The seven-year-old will also make his reappearance in the Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap before jumping across to Japan for the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama racecourse on September 28.

“We still need to see how he runs on the first day. Everything is fine right now,” Leung said following his work.

Chancheng Glory and Self Improvement will also go abroad in the early season, with the former going to the Group Three Korea Cup (1,800m), while the latter heads for the Group Three Korea Sprint (1,200m).

Giavellotto to defend Vase crown

Marco Botti is plotting a route back to Hong Kong with last year’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) winner Giavellotto.

He ran out an impressive winner last December under Oisin Murphy, and Botti has his sights set on defending that prize, with his stable star currently on the comeback trail after a minor setback.

“We are trying to have him ready for early September – the main target is to take him back to Hong Kong,” Botti told Sky Sports Racing.

Hong Kong jockeys out of luck in Japan

Karis Teetan and Alexis Badel were out of luck in the World All-Star Jockeys competition over the weekend, with victory going the way of German-based Thore Hammer Hansen.

The pair finished 13th and 12th respectively in the 14-strong field, with Badel’s fifth-place finish in leg three being the best result between them.

Craig Williams, who tasted Group One Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) glory on Cap Ferrat last season, finished a clear second behind Hammer Hansen.