As the spotlight turns to Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day, the Hayes family stands on the verge of an extraordinary feat in international racing.
With two New Zealand-bred stars entered in Group One contests, the iconic family operation is chasing a unique double that would further cement their place in racing folklore.
David Hayes will be represented by star sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while his sons Ben, JD, and Will Hayes send out the formidable Mr Brightside in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m).
Ka Ying Rising has taken Hong Kong racing by storm this season, emerging as one of the world’s elite sprinters with commanding wins in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), and Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
The four-year-old son of Shamexpress heads into Sunday’s contest with a perfect campaign under his belt. His latest barrier trial only added to the hype, with a commanding three-and-a-half-length win and trainer David Hayes was beaming after drawing barrier four on Thursday.
“He’s drawn perfectly,” Hayes said. “It is the first time he has had a single draw for a long time so if he jumps well, it will take the luck out of it and I’d say Zac (Purton, jockey) will be thrilled.
“He’s a bit faster than the three drawn inside him, so he should get the rail and there is a bit of speed on his outside, so he has just got to jump and he should be OK.
“Having a $1.10 chance is quite rare in our racing at the elite level and you’re anxious before the race, you just want to get it over and done with because with these great horses you don’t want to be making excuses.
While David Hayes looks to claim his latest sprinting crown, his sons will be flying the Lindsay Park flag with Mr Brightside, Australia’s most dominant miler since crossing the Tasman from New Zealand.
The seven-year-old gelding has amassed nine Group One victories and now prepares for his first Hong Kong assignment. With strong lead-in form and drawn barrier two, Mr Brightside is poised for a positive showing against a high-quality field that includes local favourite Voyage Bubble.
“We’re thrilled with where he’s drawn,” Ben Hayes said. “We have won an All-Star Mile from barrier two and a Doncaster from barrier one. Craig (Williams, jockey) will be very happy with that draw.
“Inside draws are especially helpful here in Hong Kong with the way they race, so it is a slight advantage to us and some of the main dangers have drawn a bit wide.
“It is a very different tempo and at least Mr B has been used to the high-tempo races after racing Pride Of Jenni so many times. I think he will be up on the pace somewhere but it gives us options.
A win for either Ka Ying Rising or Mr Brightside would also mark another New Zealand-bred champion to triumph under the Hayes family’s guidance.
The roll of honour is nothing short of illustrious: Dulcify, trained by the late Colin Hayes; Zabeel, trained first by Colin and then David Hayes; Mr Brightside, campaigned by Ben, JD, and Will Hayes; and now Ka Ying Rising, potentially the best of them all, under David Hayes’ stewardship.
“It’s very unique. We get to have a Group One runner on the same card as our Dad,” Ben Hayes said.
“If we’re able to get the dream and they both win, it will probably be the best day Lindsay Park and our Dad have ever had together.” ~ NZ Racing Desk ~
