Rubylot To Sparkle For Hayes In Hong Kong Classic Cup?

[Wandering Eyes]

Two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer David Hayes has been enjoying a strong season with his runners, and on the back of a trio of Group 1 victories courtesy of Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), is aiming to add the HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800 metres with either Rubylot (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}) or Hong Kong debuter and G1 South African Derby-placed Mondial (SAf) (Flower Alley).

The former is the most experience runner in the field with 17 Hong Kong starts, good for five wins. Already a winner over 1000m, 1200m, and 1400m, the gelding has yet to score at the distance of the Classic Cup, but Hayes, who won this with Resfa (Arg) (Fitzcarraldo {Arg}) in 1999, is unperturbed. Rubylot ran sixth in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile.

“He's going well, he really is going well. He's trialled well between runs and he's crying out for 1800 metres,” Hayes said. “He finished well last start and I think he's going to run well.”

The first, second, and third from the Hong Kong Classic Mile run back, in the diminutive My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Divano (Aus) (Brave Smash {Jpn}), and beaten favourite Packing Hermod (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}). The latter has won four times in Hong Kong.

Of My Wish, trainer Mark Newnham said, “I've been really pleased with him. He's come through the Classic Mile in good shape, held his condition well. He's been able to follow the same programme that he has had pretty much all season with the month between runs with an easy trial in between. He'll have one gallop later in the week, so the preparation is the same as it has been the whole way through and he's in good form.”

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