Trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton gave Ka Ying Rising the seal of approval after the champion sprinter warmed up for his seasonal reappearance with an effortless trial win at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Seven days before returning in the Group Three HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) at the season opener, Ka Ying Rising cruised to victory by two lengths under a strong hold by Purton in the 1,000m trial.

“It was nice. He jumped out well, he cruised along. He just did enough to tick him over for his race next week,” Purton said.

“He’s pulled up in pretty good shape. For where he is at the moment, we’re happy with him.

“He’s a bit fitter now, he moved a bit better, his action was a bit better – but he’s back on the grass, too.”

Rated the equal best horse in the world with Ombudsman on the most recent Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Ka Ying Rising will bid for a record-extending 21st consecutive win in the Chief Executive’s Cup.

While Hayes’ superstar easily accounted for his rivals in Sunday’s trial, stopping the clock at 56.73, Purton had a minor concern with the nine-time Group One winner again failing to change his lead leg.

He did the same in a dirt trial earlier this month when winning by almost 10 lengths.

“But he was on one leg the whole way, which is frustrating. How does a horse go 1,000m up the straight on one leg?” Purton said.

“Normal horses can’t do it, but he’s got to sort that out when he gets back to the races.”

Hayes was not as concerned as Purton. “I feel pretty good. Zac said he didn’t change legs, but he was probably three or four seconds below course record time, so he was doing it very easily, and I just like the way he acted before the trial,” Hayes said.

“I think he’s in the right head space and ready to run a race next week.

“You spell the horses trying to make them bigger and stronger, especially if they’re a sprinter and he’s bigger and stronger than he’s ever been. So, I still think we have another season of him improving.”

Ka Ying Rising will head to Australia to defend his crown in the A$20 million (HK$112.4 million) Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick in October after the Chief Executive’s Cup.

His appearance was the highlight of Sunday’s pre-season carnival at Sha Tin, which also featured the annual jockeys’ sprint.

In a tight finish to the 100m relay on the Sha Tin turf, Lyle Hewitson and Derek Leung Ka-chun claimed victory from Harry Bentley and the fast-finishing Karis Teetan.

Hewitson and Leung were presented with a HK$5,000 cheque, medals and a trophy.