Zac Purton is wary of Ka Ying Rising’s wide draw in a small field as the star sprinter bids for back-to-back Group One victories in Sunday’s Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

The champion jockey, who needs four wins on Sunday to break Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong record of 1,813, hopes to avoid getting caught wide from Ka Ying Rising’s outside draw in the field of eight.

The David Hayes-trained gelding chases a remarkable ninth consecutive win and a second at the elite level, having overcome a slow start and pressure in the run to claim the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) on December 8.

With early speedsters Victor The Winner and Magic Control drawn in barriers one and four, respectively, Purton is aware of the danger Ka Ying Rising’s gate poses.

“It’s always tricky in small fields, especially when you draw outside,” said Purton, who has won the Centenary Sprint Cup on Aerovelocity (2016) and Lucky Sweynesse (2023).

“The others generally try to ride their horses a little bit out of position and it can become a little bit tricky, so he needs a bit of luck from out there.

“With the small number of runners, sometimes there can be less pressure, so that can complicate things. I’ve just got to try work that out as the gates open and see what’s happening in the first furlong.

“When he’s watching the gate, he can jump quick. When he takes his eyes off the gate, it gets him on the back foot a bit but he’s pretty straightforward. It’s just a matter of getting the right spot.

“It’s good to have him back. He had a nice freshen up since international day and his trial since was pretty good.”

Ka Ying Rising also clashes with Helios Express, who ran a closing second in the Hong Kong Sprint, last-start Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) victor Howdeepisyourlove, Group One winner Invincible Sage, Lucky With You and Beauty Waves.

While Ka Ying Rising is expected to start a hot odds-on favourite, Beauty Eternal will likely be a double-figure shot for Purton in Sunday’s other Group One, the Stewards’ Cup (1,600m).

A Group One winner of the Champions Mile last year, the John Size-trained gelding has produced mixed form in three runs this season, including a sound fourth behind top miler Voyage Bubble in the Group One Hong Kong Mile last start.

Purton said the Stewards’ Cup loomed as a D-Day for Beauty Eternal.

“He’s been disappointing this season,” Purton said. “He was racing a bit fierce in his first couple of runs.

“He had the earplugs and the Norton bit go on last time and he was a lot more manageable in the race, but he still didn’t perform to expectations.

“He’s had another trial since and his trial was good. He really needs to do something this weekend, otherwise you’ve got to start to wonder where he’s at.”

Beauty Eternal reopposes five rivals from the Hong Kong Mile, headlined by reigning Stewards’ Cup hero Voyage Bubble, as well as three-time Group One winner California Spangle and the progressive Patch Of Theta.

Purton could surpass Whyte’s record on Sunday with five other rides – With A Smile, Mr Energia, Light Years Charm, Romantic Son and Stunning Peach.

“We’re getting there slowly,” he said. “Hopefully I can ride a few winners on the weekend.

“We’ll see how we go, but I’m not worried about it. It’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of when.”

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