David Hayes reached a landmark on Wednesday night at Happy Valley, registering David Hayes’ 700th Hong Kong winner as a race-to-race double lifted him to within a single victory of the trainers’ championship lead and hinted at a Classic contender in the making.
The Australian Hall of Famer has enjoyed a remarkable season, and the midweek meeting (28 January) added another rich chapter. The 700 wins have been amassed across 15 seasons and two separate stints in Hong Kong, a measure of both longevity and sustained excellence. Hayes paused only briefly to acknowledge the milestone before shifting focus to the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2000 metres on 22 March, the prize that continues to shape ambitions across the city.
The double began when Dylan Browne McMonagle broke through for his first Happy Valley success aboard Romantic Son (127lb) in the first section of the Class 3 Southorn Handicap over 1200 metres. The colt responded gamely under pressure, rewarding a confident ride from the young Irishman, who has now posted three wins during his three-month stay.
Hayes was quick to praise the rider’s composure. He described Browne McMonagle as a high-class jockey whose best days in Hong Kong are still to come, suggesting the victory was only the beginning.
David Hayes’ 700th Hong Kong winner points to Classic promise
The milestone was sealed in dramatic fashion when China Win (115lb), guided by Keith Yeung, produced a determined late surge to collar long-time leader Liveandletlive (128lb) right on the line in the O’Brien Handicap over 1800 metres. It was China Win’s first appearance in Class 3 company, and the performance suggested both resilience and untapped improvement.
Hayes noted that the young gelding is still learning his craft, momentarily losing focus in the straight before finding again when it mattered. Recent form has been strong, with two wins and a second from his last three runs at the distance, and the trainer confirmed that a step up to 2000 metres is now firmly on the agenda.
The evening carried added meaning for Hayes with both winners scoring in the famous Lindsay Park Racing colours, a detail he admitted brought a personal thrill on an already memorable night. The brace took his seasonal tally to 32, leaving him second on the trainers’ table, one ahead of Caspar Fownes and just one behind leader Mark Newnham.
Milestones continued elsewhere on the card. David Eustace celebrated his 50th Hong Kong win as Ragga Bomb (126lb) powered clear by three lengths in the Class 4 Jaffe Handicap over 1650 metres, with Hugh Bowman in the saddle. A strong early tempo set by Ka Ying Glory ensured the race unfolded to suit, allowing Ragga Bomb to unleash his finishing speed.
Eustace later reflected that the five-year-old had been threatening such a performance, adding that his understanding of the local tracks is sharpening with each run. The trainer completed a double when Greater Bae (120lb) asserted authority in the second section of the Class 3 Southorn Handicap, driven out by Zac Purton.
Purton enjoyed a productive night of his own, opening the programme aboard Savvy Twinkle (133lb) in the Class 5 Fenwick Handicap before adding further successes with Thunder Blink (132lb) in the Class 5 Fleming Handicap and Greater Bae later on. Thunder Blink’s win marked a pleasing return following a stable change, delivering his third success from 16 starts.
Bowman also finished with a brace, moving to 31 wins for the season when Copartner Fleet (129lb) charged home to land the Class 4 Hong Kong Football Club Centenary Cup Handicap over 1000 metres for Francis Lui. The Australian has now ridden at least one winner at each of the past five meetings.
Straight To Glory (132lb) produced a resolute finish under Derek Leung to give Michael Chang a welcome success in the second section of the Class 4 Lockhart Handicap, while John Size maintained his steady climb up the standings. Partnered by Andrea Atzeni, Amazing Kid (130lb) delivered a third career win in the first section of the same race, continuing a fruitful alliance between trainer and rider.
Hong Kong racing resumes at Sha Tin on Sunday (1 February) with the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile over 1600 metres, another key marker on the road to the spring features.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.
