David Hayes hopes the rub of green will be there for his horse at Sha Tin on Saturday with a team that includes well placed pairs in Soleil Fighter and Pocketing in the Grade Two Peacock Handicap (1,600m).
The two-time Hong Kong champion trainer can always rely on Soleil Fighter for a big run, with The Sea The Moon finishing in the top four in nine of 13 races this season, including a win and four seconds.
Last time out she finished a rare seventh at Happy Valley, but the race didn’t go her way and Hayes is confident she can bounce back in the 10lb Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu.
“Hugh was really kicking himself after his last run, as he thought he was going to get ahead of him. He held him and they went slowly, which meant he pulled, and he can never run well when he pulls,” Hayes said.
“You’ve got to let him flow at his own pace to get the best out of him. He’ll go fast this time and take a bit of time. Nichola’s 10lb claim will certainly help – I’ll be telling him not to fight her.”
In that race, Hayes will send out Australian Group Two winner Pocketing, who ran better than the clear when a few places behind Soleil Fighter in the same race at Happy Valley.
“I thought Pocketing’s run last time had a lot of credit. Lyle had two runs on him and he didn’t falter at the end, he held up well. I’d say if he can get an easy run in transport, he’ll go well too,” Hayes said.
There will also be plenty of intrigue surrounding Jedi Spurs, who makes his Hayes debut in the Sunbird Plate (1,000m) for the Griffins on the back of two trial wins over hurdles.
It has been a little early to get him into the race, but the talent is clear and Hayes is confident of a big effort.
“I thought his testing was good. He’s already had a low attitude and I would expect him to be very competitive,” Hayes said.
“These young horses have to be trained a little differently than the older ones because they’re growing. He hasn’t been here long, so he’s been on the fast track to get him ready for these last two Griffin races.”
Another well-placed pair for Hayes are Let’s Have Fun and Withallmyfaith, who run in the first leg of the Grade Four Swan Handicap (1,400m) and Grade Three Spoonbill Handicap (1,600m) respectively.
The former was badly hampered when coming off a storming run three times ago and struggled again in the last run, while the latter was marked painfully at the start of Happy Valley.
“Let’s be happy it was unlucky the last three runs, he was coming up with his run and then the horse almost fell in front of him,” Hayes said. “Then he was stopped last start as well and ran home well. He’s got a better block and I think he’ll be in the frame.
“Withallmyfaith was overshadowed for the post last time. It would be nice if he got the Grade Three (Privately Purchased Horse) bonus. Karis (Teetan) will be on the pace and has been a consistent horse without a win.”
Hayes Squad is launched by Akashvani and Amazing Gaze.
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