2 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.
