A change in fortune is what David Hayes will be hoping for at the Sha Tin race meeting 8 March, where the Australian Racing Hall of Famer sends out nine runners in Sunday’s 11-race programme. Once the early pace-setter in the trainers’ championship race this season, Hayes now sits third on the standings and will be eager to regain momentum as the campaign moves deeper into March.
Hayes began the season in strong form, but a sequence of narrow defeats and close finishes since the beginning of February has slowed his progress. He currently shares 36 wins with Mark Newnham but trails on countback with fewer second placings, while the championship is led by Caspar Fownes with 39 winners.
During a productive January run, the two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 and 1998/99) was operating at a healthy 13.2 per cent strike rate, saddling 10 winners from 76 starters. The statistics since early February tell a different story. From another batch of 76 runners, Hayes has managed four winners — a more modest 5.3 per cent return.
Despite the dip in victories, the stable has still produced 14 top-three finishes during that period, suggesting the yard’s runners remain competitive even if fewer have crossed the line first.
Strong Chances for Hayes in Sha Tin race meeting 8 March
Hayes will field two promising contenders in the Class 2 Devon Handicap (1800m) during the Sha Tin race meeting 8 March. One of them is the accomplished Soleil Fighter, the winner of the 2024/25 DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, who carries 131lb.
The gelding produced a determined front-running display at Happy Valley Racecourse last time, leading throughout and holding on gamely for victory — his first success in almost a year.
“It was a good win; he dictated and was able to hang on,” Hayes said of the performance. “He’s been a wonderful horse. He’s only won the one this year, but he’s earned money in all of his 10 starts – around HK$5 million, so he’s a horse a lot of owners would love.”
Also lining up in the Devon Handicap is the progressive four-year-old Fortune Boy, who carries 115lb and will be making his Class 2 debut.
Hayes believes the New Zealand-bred gelding has been unlucky in several outings this season but remains capable of taking another step forward.
“He’s been blocked badly and not got runs at different times,” Hayes explained. “The reason I’m running him is it’s his last chance to maybe qualify for the Hong Kong Derby. I do think he’s one of the horses that can run 2000 metres and would run a good race in the Derby if he managed to get in.
“I really feel that if he can beat this sort of field – out of the handicap – he warrants a place in the Derby.”
Essex Handicap Adds Quality to Sha Tin Programme
The feature contest of the Sha Tin race meeting 8 March is the Class 1 Essex Handicap (1200m), which brings together an impressive field of sprinters.
Among the headline contenders is Fast Network, the improving five-year-old from the stable of Dennis Yip. The son of Wrote returns to Class 1 company after several months competing at Group level and will carry top weight of 135lb.
Runaway jockeys’ championship leader Zac Purton reunites with Fast Network for the first time since September and speaks highly of the powerful gelding.
“He’s always been a big, strong horse,” Purton said. “He didn’t need to develop any more in that regard. When he arrived here he showed straight away that he had some ability.
“Like many horses in Hong Kong, they take a little time to settle into the environment and find their rhythm. He’s always been a lovely horse.”
Purton partnered Fast Network in the early stages of his Hong Kong career, guiding him to three wins from four rides.
“He’s been racing against the top sprinters, so it’s a big drop in class for him,” Purton added. “As long as he draws reasonably well he’ll have his chance. He’s not a horse you can rush too early — he likes to find his feet — but he’s done a very good job.”
Sunday’s 11-race programme at Sha Tin Racecourse begins at 12:30pm with the Class 4 Suffolk Handicap (1000m), setting the stage for a competitive afternoon of racing.
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