Latest news with #SolidShalaa
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
David Hayes desperate to keep fading trainers' championship hopes alive at Sha Tin on Saturday
For David Hayes, the equation is simple if he is to keep his faint hopes of a late charge at the trainers' championship alive. 'I need to be training more winners than John [Size] at the next few meetings to have a sneak of a chance,' said Hayes, who trails Size by eight wins with only nine meetings left this season. 'It's highly unlikely but I haven't given up, for all that I'm a realist. If he equals me or worse on Saturday, I'll hoist the white flag.' A two-time champion Hong Kong trainer, Hayes cut Size's double-digit lead to as little as four wins last month before the latter struck back to regain breathing space. After the Australian handlers came up empty at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, they turn their attention to Sha Tin on Saturday with 26 runners between them. David Hayes has a double! ✌️ Solid Shalaa makes it consecutive wins with @elliswong05 at Sha Tin, prevailing in the Members Cup over Packing Bole... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 Dirt specialist Solid Shalaa, who bids for a hat-trick of victories in the Class Three HKU Jockey Club Student Villages Handicap (1,200m), and the in-form World Hero are among Hayes' leading chances, while hat-trick seeker Ping Hai Comet shapes as one of Size's best contenders. The prospect of a wet track – with heavy rain forecast on Saturday – threatens to throw a spanner in the works, but Hayes said it won't be an issue for Solid Shalaa. 'He loves the dirt and if all this rain does come, he loves wet dirt as well,' Hayes said. 'I expect him to be one of the favourites and justifiably so – he's on the upgrade.' Returning from almost a year out of racing because of multiple leg injuries, Solid Shalaa followed a first-up second with a pair of fast-finishing victories on dirt under in-form apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang. Wong will have to produce another top ride on the Shalaa gelding, who has drawn wide in barrier 10. Rising Force, an outstanding debut winner and unlucky second last start for Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, Mr Energia and Packing Bole look to be his main dangers. World Hero, who has made all in two of his past three starts, must also overcome a wide gate in 14 in the Class Four Hong Kong University Alumni Association Challenge Cup (1,400m). 'He's in great form – he had a class rise and he did get a beautiful ride to win the other day,' Hayes said. 'He gives himself every chance by putting himself on the pace and should run well again.' Hayes will also be represented by Tomodachi Kokoroe and Harmony N Blessed in Saturday's feature, the Class Two HKU Business School And Faculty Of Engineering Handicap (1,200m). 'They are two warhorses for the stable,' said Hayes of the pair, who dead-heated for third behind Kaholo Angel at Happy Valley last start. 'They are at their marks at this stage of their careers but I'd expect them both to get prize money. You never know, if they get the right runs, they're more than capable of winning, though it's a tough class for them. 'I'd lean towards Harmony N Blessed if the going gets soft, but I'd be favouring Tomadachi Kokoroe if it isn't.' Size boasts three of the 11 runners in the race – Wunderbar, who can improve from a last-start eighth in what was his first run in four months, the consistent Raging Blizzard and Must Go, who is better known as a dirt horse. Dashing Maurison, Field Marshal, Sight Happy, Star Brose, Youth Power, Star Mac, Ariel and Supreme Mastermind are Hayes' other runners.
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ellis Wong and James Orman eye dirt delight on David Hayes' duo Solid Shalaa and Ka Ying Resilience
Ellis Wong Chi-wang and James Orman are optimistic they can deliver David Hayes a Sha Tin dirt double when they ride Solid Shalaa and Ka Ying Resilience, respectively, at Sha Tin this Sunday. Wong bids for back-to-back victories on Solid Shalaa when the comeback galloper rises to Class Three for The Members Cup (1,200m), while Orman is excited to take his first race ride on Ka Ying Resilience in the Class Four Racing Heritage Handicap (1,200m). Struck down by suspensory ligament injuries and a humeral bone injury in the past 12 months, Solid Shalaa has made a strong comeback to run a close second first up before a fast-finishing victory last start. After jumping slowly, the Shalaa five-year-old stormed home from the back half of the field to nail Fun N Fun Together by a neck at the course and distance of Sunday's race. He rises in grade to take on a string of consistent dirt performers, including Gummy Gummy, Bundle Of Charm, Mojave Desert and Mr Energia. Three-timer denied! @elliswong05 and Solid Shalaa foil Zac Purton's running treble with a second win over the course and distance for David Hayes... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 20, 2025 'The horse feels very well at the moment. He has trialled well and is fit,' Wong said. 'He's up to Class Three and I think this race has some pace in it. He doesn't jump really well in his races, so I think the pace can help him. I'm sure he can give a strong finish. 'I hope he can jump better this week and I hope he can be in maybe a midfield position. I'm very happy with him.' HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Solid Shalaa has drawn gate two in his bid for a third victory on the all-weather track. Wong's 7lbs claim reduces the gelding's weight to 114lbs. Earlier on Sunday's card, Hayes will race Ka Ying Resilience on dirt for the first time and Orman is full of confidence after the three-year-old's recent trial win on the surface. Ka Ying Resilience records a dominant trial win under James Orman. Ka Ying Resilience bolted in by almost four lengths after jumping to the front and cruising along comfortably under Orman. 'I think the surface will definitely suit him, for sure,' Orman said. 'He's a horse that previously played up a little bit in the barriers, but we got him passed at the trials and he really enjoyed that surface on the all-weather. 'We've drawn a good barrier in barrier three, which is helpful, and if he can race like he trialled, I think he's going to take a lot of beating. 'He did it all under his own steam [in the trial], to be honest. It was a good hit-out for him – that was nearing on three weeks ago now, so it was a good hit-out setting him up beautifully for this race. Ka Ying Resilience puts a big margin on his rivals in a recent trial. 'I've sat on him in trackwork – he's a beautiful horse to ride. He canters around lovely and does his work nicely, so I'm very excited.' Ka Ying Resilience is yet to win from seven starts but has shown glimpses of ability, with a second on debut last term and a close second down the 1,000m straight first up this campaign. The son of Blue Point lines up in a competitive race headlined by Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's Rising Force, who is fresh from a superb two-length victory on debut on the dirt in March. Fun N Fun Together and recent dirt winners Natural High, Fortune Warrior, California Star and Daily Trophy also feature in the race.
