David Hayes, a renowned trainer in the horse racing world, is gearing up for an exciting weekend at Sha Tin, with a focus on his one-time Derby hopefuls, Pocketing and China Win. Despite their missed opportunities for the prestigious Hong Kong Derby, Hayes remains optimistic about their potential.
Pocketing, a Group Two winner at Rosehill, is set to make his Hong Kong debut in the Class Two Shaw Alumni Handicap. Hayes acknowledges that Pocketing's future lies in middle distances, but he's eager to assess his capabilities over a mile, starting with a trial at Happy Valley. The trainer believes that Pocketing's first race in Hong Kong will be a challenging endeavor, but he anticipates significant improvement.
China Win, on the other hand, has a heart irregularity diagnosis that prevented him from participating in the Derby. Hayes is confident that China Win will have a strong finish to the season and is looking forward to his 'golden year' next season. The trainer's faith in China Win's talent is so strong that he predicts he'll earn more in the next 12 months than any horse that ran in the Derby.
Another of Hayes' prospects, Vigor Eye, is set to compete in the Class Four Graduate School Alumni Handicap. After a promising start with three consecutive third-place finishes, Vigor Eye encountered a setback at Sha Tin. Hayes is adopting a conservative approach with Vigor Eye, hoping for a positive response after giving him a race instead of a trial.
Hayes also has high hopes for Star Brose and Supreme Mastermind in the Class Four United Alumni Handicap. Star Brose, a winner at Happy Valley, is in good form, while Supreme Mastermind's recent trial at Happy Valley has Hayes optimistic about his performance with the addition of ear muffs.
On a busy Sunday, Hayes is also fielding Let's Have Fun, Turbo Jefferies, State Security, and Chateauneuf. Despite the competition, Hayes remains confident in his stable's abilities, showcasing his expertise and strategic approach to horse racing.
