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“Romantic Warrior, I keep bringing him up, but he has taken me to a new level that I didn’t think was possible."

No star has shone brighter in the thoroughbred racing world this year than New Zealand-bred gelding Ka Ying Rising, and trainer David Hayes is hoping he can assume the mantle of the world’s best sprinter when he heads to Sha Tin on Sunday.

“He’s a monster. When I asked him for an effort, he lengthened like I can’t believe – he’s still got that turn of foot. It’s crazy."

Any questions about Lucky Sweynesse loosening his grip on the world’s best sprinter mantle were swept aside when Manfred Man’s speedster surged to victory in the HK$26 million Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Hong Kong’s domestic prize money will rise by eight percent for the 2023/24 season, featuring increases across every class of competition with an additional HK$94 million (NZ$19.5 million) on offer.