David Hayes is bullish Ka Ying Rising will handle his first test against multiple Group One winner California Spangle when the quality sprinters clash in Sunday’s Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

A rising star destined for elite-level success, Ka Ying Rising has won six of his eight starts and bids for a sixth consecutive victory in Sunday’s HK$5.35 million feature.

The Shamexpress gelding’s rating has remarkably soared from 52 to 119, with victories in the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) in June and Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) last month the highlights.

Standing in his way is Tony Cruz’s stable star California Spangle, a three-time Group One victor and the city’s champion sprinter of last term.

“It is a good test, but I am pretty confident we’ll give him a good race,” Hayes said.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Ka Ying Rising returned with an effortless win in the Chief Executive’s Cup, cruising to victory by a length and a quarter with champion jockey Zac Purton easing him down late.

Runner-up Beauty Waves has since won the Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m).

With California Spangle allocated top weight of 135 pounds, Ka Ying Rising gets into the Premier Bowl with 128 – a seven-pound drop on his first-up win.

“The weights are more in his favour than first up and the next start [in the Jockey Club Sprint], they’re even better,” Hayes said.

“He’s sort of virtually first up again – he hasn’t run for a long time. His trial [at Conghua] was a maintenance trial, but it was good and his track work’s been solid. He’s held his condition, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Ka Ying Rising has drawn barrier nine in the field of 13. Purton will chase his third Premier Bowl on the four-year-old after previous success on Aerovelocity (2014) and Lucky Patch (2021).

Hayes will also run Harmony N Blessed, a last-start Class Two winner over 1,200m at Sha Tin. Keagan de Melo will ride the eight-year-old.

Hayes has a big team of 13 runners on Sunday’s 10-race card, also featuring Star Contact in the Class Two HKJC 140th Anniversary Cup (1,600m) and Master Mastermind in the Class Four Community Growth Handicap (1,400m).

The Australian handler has utilised Britney Wong Po-ni’s 10-pound claim on Star Contact, who returns to Sha Tin after notching a win and four placings from his past five starts at Happy Valley.

“He’ll go from 135 [pounds] to 110 – that’s a massive drop from a good run,” Hayes said, referencing Star Contact’s close second to I Can last start.

“He’s probably at his best [at Happy Valley], but he has run quite a few good races at Sha Tin. He’s a very consistent horse, so he should run well.”

Purton hops back aboard Master Mastermind after Hugh Bowman guided him to a brilliant victory last start, but the four-year-old was dealt a blow when drawing wide in barrier 12.

“He’ll be one of the favourites,” Hayes said.

“Hugh had a commitment [to ride Ballistic Win], then they drew the same division. That’s how Hughie got on [last start], so it’s a switch around. His trial was outstanding.”

Youth Power, Precision Goal, Amazing Run, Bienvenue, Decrelot, Dashing Dragon, Star Mac, Oriental Smoke and Mojave Desert are the other runners for Hayes, who sits just one win behind trainers’ championship leader Pierre Ng Pang-chi with 11 this season.