He might have room to improve ahead of his tilt at The Everest next month, but David Hayes expects Ka Ying Rising to “run fast time” when the superstar sprinter makes his much-anticipated return at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Bidding to become the first ever two-time winner of the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m), Ka Ying Rising will use the season-opening feature as a springboard to the A$20 million (HK$102 million) The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick on October 18.

Hayes said the world’s best sprinter won’t be at his peak on Sunday, but the Australian handler expects his star power to shine once again as he builds towards his upcoming overseas target.

“He’ll saddle up a little bit bigger than he normally does, but I’m treating it as a positive,” Hayes said of Ka Ying Rising, who warmed up for his return with two slashing trial wins at Sha Tin.

“He’s a bit stronger. As you’d imagine, his two trials have been first class and he’s done well since.”

Last season’s Hong Kong Horse of the Year after eight victories from as many starts, Ka Ying Rising won last year’s Chief Executive’s Cup from gate seven while carrying top weight of 135lb.

The four-time Group One victor carries the same weight on Sunday but has the advantage of gate four with champion hoop Zac Purton on board.

“He’s got a good barrier but he’s got to give a bit of weight, although he did last year in the same race to the same horses,” Hayes said.

“Obviously, Beauty Waves has improved a bit but I think we have too. Last year they were equal favourites. I think we’ll be clear favourite this year.

“He overcame a wide barrier last year but this year he’s got a nice barrier and there looks to be plenty of speed, so if conditions are right I’d expect him to run fast time.”

Beauty Waves, one of Ka Ying Rising’s 11 rivals on Sunday, ran second in this race last year and brilliantly won his two starts for new trainer Tony Cruz at the end of last term.

Hayes said Ka Ying Rising will enter quarantine on Sunday night for two weeks before flying to Sydney, where he will tune up for The Everest with a trial on October 7.

“It’s a dress rehearsal for the horse and the staff. They’ve never been to Randwick, never saddled up in stripping sheds, so it’s a bit different,” Hayes said.

“Zac and I will both go back for the trial and then I’ll miss a Wednesday meeting and spend the week with him before the race.”

Runner-up to John Size in last season’s championship, Hayes has loaded up with a team of 12 runners for Sunday as he starts his bid for another successful campaign.

“I’ve got plenty of horses trialling well and in my experience generally, I find that if my horses are trialling well, they run well. Hopefully we can get a few winners early,” he said.

Hayes’ better triallers heading into the Sha Tin meeting include Lucky Man, who must overcome gate 12 in the Class Four Mount Parker Handicap (1,400m), Awesome Treasure in the first section of the Class Four Ma On Shan Handicap (1,200m), Ka Ying Resilience in the second section of the Ma On Shan Handicap and Akashvani in the Class Three Lantau Peak Handicap (1,200m).