Forward planning is at the heart of everything we do in Hong Kong racing and, with that in mind, it is great to hear the Jockey Club Licensing Committee have announced that we will have a new trainer for the start of the 2020/2021 season.
With more than 3,000 winners to his credit – including a Melbourne Cup, a Japan Cup, two Cox Plates and three Caulfield Cups – David Hayes needs little introduction to anyone who has followed the international racing scene over the last three decades.
David came to Hong Kong in 1995 with an exceptional record in Australia and made a similar impact in his new home, winning the trainers’ championship twice and sending out more than 450 winners including top sprinters like Charming City and All Thrills Too and also Elegant Fashion, who became the first filly to win the Hong Kong Derby for almost 30 years when she triumphed in 2003.
David finished among the top four trainers in eight of his ten seasons here and was a great ambassador for Hong Kong racing. Family reasons were behind his return to Australia in 2005 but even then David said that he would love to return and it was fascinating to hear him say that it took only 15 seconds to say yes when the Club approached him about coming back to Hong Kong a few weeks ago.
In short, David’s combination of skill, experience and people skills make him an ideal fit for Hong Kong’s world-class racing model. We look forward to welcoming him back to a place he loves next summer and, with Frankie Lor, Douglas Whyte and Jimmy Ting all having made such a strong start to their new careers, the competition among trainers over the next few years is set to be very strong indeed.
Closer to hand, this Wednesday marks an exciting day for everyone involved in Hong Kong racing as we mark the return to Happy Valley for the first time this season.
The thrill of watching the action unfold at one of the world’s most spectacular sporting circuits never fades and I am delighted to say that this week’s meeting sees the launch of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge.
This popular series – which offers HK$1 million in bonuses for the horses who accrue most points in Class 3 and above at the Valley over the next six months – has added to the thrill of racing at our iconic city track for many years now.
Country Star recorded two Class 3 wins and two more in Class 2 to take the main prize for John Size and the HK Country Club Racing Syndicate last season and we look forward to working with DBS and Manulife as a brand new season of racing at the Valley gets under way.
The Class 3 Chung Hom Kok Handicap is the final race of the night at 1200m with Dream Come True, Forza Angel and Frustrated all expected to push forward and set a good pace.
Smart Leader will also be prominent and can box seat from his good draw. He had a busy campaign last season when winless from 15 starts but was impressive winning his recent trial at Sha Tin. He looks ready to break through under Joao Moreira and I make him a win and place chance.
Ballistic King has drawn outside and will do his running from the back. He showed improvement at the end of last season and is a place chance. Jumbo Happiness also seems to be going in the right direction after returning from a long break to run second at the end of last season. He seems to have benefitted from his time at Conghua and is also a place chance along with Frustrated.
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